Demolition Derby: Burroughs Routs Clayton 56-0 in Clock-Shortened Game

If they were to pass around game balls following the John Burroughs 56-0 demolition of Clayton Saturday, they’d have to have a lot of them.

Many Bombers players on both offense and defense were worthy of recognition.

Zeke Elliott scored 3 more TDs, adding to his gaudy total of 28 for the year. That’s 70 TDs the past two seasons for this senior star.

Peter Schnuck caught 2 touchdown passes and had an interception. Linebackers Christian Bledsoe and Xavier Bledsoe and Solo Ceesay chased Greyhound QB Jake Brown all over the field. They didn’t yield a point in 4 quarters. Rushil Shetz was perfect on all of his 7 point after kicks.

But no resting on any laurels for this 7-0 team. They travel to Maplewood Friday night, 7 p.m. for the small school showdown of the season.

“We’ll be on the big stage. I think the game is going to be on TV,” said Ohio State committed Elliott.

Coach Gus Frerotte warned his team about just how good the next opponent will be.

But all things considered, Frerotte liked everything he saw Saturday.

“That was a good one. They (Clayton) gave is a lot of trouble in the beginning. Offensively, we came and they were putting everyone in the box and our quarterback wasn’t getting the ball out of his hand. I made a switch, I put Trey (Moore) sophomore in the game and we picked it up,” said Frerotte.

The first quarter was scoreless until starting quarterback Nick Duncan spotted junior Jake Wood for a 4-yard strike.

Burroughs scored 3 times in the second quarter, led at half 28-0 and won, 56-0 in another game shortened by the mercy rule running clock.

Elliott notched his 26th TD of the season with a 4-yard run in the second quarter. Duncan fired a 61 yard scoring strike to Schnuck and then Schnuck scored once more on a 14 yard pass from Dre Moore.

In the third quarter senior Foye Oluokun scampered 68 yards on a punt return; Elliott scored again on a 14 yard  catch and then Elliott ran 34 yards for his 28th TD of the season before retreating to the bench.

After Nathan Van Slyke recovered a fumble, reserve back Greg Booker ran four yards to complete the route.

Four times Burroughs picked off Brown. Those interceptions were recorded by Wood, Christian Bledsoe, Schnuck and Elliott.

Frerotte is really proud of the role played by Schnuck. With Davey Holmes running the offense a year ago, Schnuck switched to wide receiver.

“He came out, wanted to play quarterback and didn’t necessarily work out. He didn’t put his head down. He said OK, I’ll do what ever you need. He plays safety for us and does a great job and is smart and runs the defense well and we’re glad to have him.”

“That was a lot of fun,” said Schnuck. “We started a little slow on offense and our defense picked it up. That was our best game on defense all season. “That was great work by the guys up front and great tackling by the linebackers,” said Schnuck.

Elliott is primed for Maplewood. “They are a good team. They have a great quarterback. It’s going to be a battle,” he predicted.