Rushing attack leads Ritenour past McCluer North
The Ritenour football team got off to a slow start this spring, with the Huskies’ first game being cancelled because of COVID concerns with the opponent and then falling to Hazelwood Central in their opener. Ritenour was able to rebound…
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Continue ReadingThe Ritenour football team got off to a slow start this spring, with the Huskies’ first game being cancelled because of COVID concerns with the opponent and then falling to Hazelwood Central in their opener.
Ritenour was able to rebound against McCluer North on Friday night. Relying on a strong rushing attack led by quarterback Marcellus Griffin, the Huskies racked up 444 yards on the ground and ran away from visiting McCluer North for a 66-8 victory.
Here is a quick look at some of the top performers for both squads…
RITENOUR (1-1)
Marcellus Griffin, QB-RB, 5-9, 175, Class of 2021
A converted running back, Griffin set the tone early with two first quarter touchdown runs. The Ritenour quarterback finished with 183 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just eight carries and also threw for 50 yards and a touchdown pass. He also had a long touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty.
Griffin will play running back wherever he ends up in college and the speed, quickness and elusiveness to be a good one. As a high school quarterback running the read-option, Griffin is a handful for opponents because he can turn any play into a long touchdown run or hand off to one of the Huskies’ talented backs.
Tyler Duerbeck, OL, 6-8, 285, Class of 2021
Ritenour’s massive right tackle paved the way for the rushing attack’s big game.
NOTE: HUDL highlights below are from previous week’s game against Hazelwood Central.
Corey Cooper, LB-FS-WR, 5-10, 175, Class of 2021
An impressive athlete, Cooper was all over the field for the Huskies and used his speed to thwart the McCluer North offense. He recorded an early sack and had several tackles on defense and on offense had several key blocks that helped fuel the rushing attack.
Elijah Fry, RB-LB, 5-10, 190, Class of 2023
A transfer from powerhouse small school Lutheran North, Fry drew rave reviews from Ritenour coach Kyle Wagner before the season, and our first viewing of the sophomore standout in person lived up to that praise. Fry has good size and the skills to be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.
Against McCluer North, Fry racked up 103 yards and two touchdowns rushing on six carries and added five tackles.
Leon Mitchell-Williams, RB, 5-8, 165, Class of 2023
Another talented young running back, Mitchell-Williams rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries.
Billy Hall, RB-DB, 5-8, 165, Class of 2024
A freshman to keep an eye on, Hall racked up 59 total yards and a touchdown on just three touches. He made a nice leaping grab over a defender and turned it into a 40-yard touchdown just before halftime. He also rushed twice for 19 yards.
McCLUER NORTH (0-2)
Jason Easley, QB, 6-0, 160, Class of 2022
Despite the lopsided final score, Easley made plays early to keep the game close before Ritenour’s rushing attack and depth took over. Easley’s athleticism can buy time for him in the backfield before receivers get open downfield. He found a running back coming out of the backfield for a touchdown in the first quarter and then connected with Kenneth Myers for an 84-yard reception.
Jaylen Salone, RB-LB, Class of 2022
There’s not much information available about Salone, but he’s a big-bodied running back who is difficult to bring down.
RITENOUR-McCLUER NORTH PHOTO GALLERY