Bulldogs rout Warren for first 2-0 start in 13 years

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September 6, 2008

By T.J. Turrisi The Meadville Tribune Sat Sep 06, 2008, 12:23 AM EDT

September 6, 2008 — WARREN — Meadville’s Region 5 road game with Warren Friday began with a military flyover and ended with an infiltration.

And after a 49-6 thumping of the Dragons (0-2, 0-1 Region 5), the Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0 Region 5) set the bar high for the 2008 season.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs and two fumbles early in the contest. Warren kicker Colter Johnson put the home team on top 6-0 with a 35-yard kick and a 17-yarder.

But much like last week against Oil City, Meadville was only getting warmed up.

In the end, the ‘Dogs outgained the Dragons 376-93 and started the season 2-0 for the first time since 1995 when they went 3-0.

The 49 points was the most since a 46-0 win over Erie East in 2004.

“We got down early and then the kids showed a lot of heart and character, again,” Meadville coach Mike Pendolino said. “We just played some power football and took it in there.”

Fullback Mike Kalustian made two cuts and rumbled 80 yards untouched to put Meadville on top for good on the first play of its fifth drive.

“I noticed they were slanting a lot,” Kalustian said. “T.J. (Toney Phillips) made a nice block on corner, and I saw the opening, saw the green and turned on the jets and just ran to the touchdown.”

The 6-foot, 210-pound senior then added another one-yard dive to cap a four-minute, 64-yard drive.

Kalustian paced the offense with 99 yards on just 10 totes.

“Our linemen are making their blocks,” he said. “We fight for every single inch. Running backs block; receivers have great down blocks. Most of the credit goes to the line. No doubt, they’re opening holes.”

“We knew how they would line up, and we knew how we would block,” Pendolino said. “It was just a matter of getting the job done. Those kids up front worked hard all winter, spring and summer. And this is their payoff time.”

Meadville notched 295 yards on the ground with 10 different backs.

Warren, meanwhile, was held to just 23 rush yards.

Toney Phillips scored twice on two six-yard rushes. Jon Roncolato found paydirt on a nine-yard scamper.

Tyler Banks, Kalustian’s fellow bulldozer, had the second-longest score of the night on a 30-yard jaunt.

“Both of those guys are working real hard at that position,” Pendolino said of the fullbacks. “We’re just tickled pink to have two guys that can get the job done at that position.”

Addison Goodrum punched in a six-yard carry to end the onslaught.

“This has been so much of a group effort. We’ve asked these kids to be unselfish, and they have been,” Pendolino said. “It was a team effort.

“You really can’t ask any more as a coach.”

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Bulldogs rout Warren for first 2-0 start in 13 years

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