Saints smash Bell

Fri. September 16, 2011 at 11:39 p.m. | By Richard Burton/Ocala Star Banner

Coming into his team’s game against Bell on Friday night at Brick City Park, St. John Lutheran coach Dennis Meunier told his team they had a chance to make history.
“I said we had the opportunity to be the last undefeated team left in Marion County and it would be the first time ever that St. John was the only unbeaten team left in the county at this point in the season,” he said.
The Saints (3-0) took advantage of their opportunity in a major way with a 77-14 mauling over the Bulldogs (0-3).
“We did a lot of good things tonight and we are pleased to be where we are at,” said Meunier, the only coach in school history to lead St. John to the postseason. “There’s a lot of good football being played in the county and we are happy to be playing well.”
St. John extended its area-best regular season winning streak to 11 games and will now look to gain some revenge against the last team it lost against in the regular season, Ormond Beach Calvary Christian on the road Friday night.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us,” Meunier said. “They have a big 6-foot-4 quarterback who throws it all over the field, but the place they hurt us last year was in the return game and we know we have to cover well.
“We feel we return well and we know that eliminating mistakes will be key.”
St. John didn’t make many mistakes against Bell, which has allowed 132 points in its last two games.
The Saints rolled up 424 yards of offense on just 33 plays and held the Bulldogs to just 95.
Bell’s two touchdowns covered 95 yards, while its other 37 plays combined failed to gain a yard.
Jamonte and Damonte Jones were once again unstoppable, as was Calib Alexander, who rushed for 157 yards and two scores on just five carries and also had a 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown brought back due to a penalty.
The Jones twins, meanwhile, combined to score on six of the eight times they touched the ball.
Jamonte Jones caught a pair of touchdowns and also ran back two interceptions for scores. On his four touches, he totaled 158 yards.
Damonte Jones ran for one score and ran a punt back 63 yards and also added an interception in the rout.
The Saints also were able to open and throw the ball, as quarterback Tyler Rotstein was 7-for-11 for 162 yards and three touchdowns.

“We have to be able to throw the ball as we get into our district schedule,” said Meunier, whose team will play six consecutive district games. “We have to do that so teams don’t put nine guys in the box against us.
“I was pleased with the way we threw it tonight. Tyler did a good job and our receivers made some big plays.”
The Saints also got a perfect 11-for-11 effort in point-after kicks from Mike Ergle, who also threw for a score and caught a scoring pass from Rotstein.
St. John jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter, as it outgained Bell 162 to minus-9 yards.
From there, the Saints built a 56-8 halftime edge, as they rolled up 318 yards by halftime, as Alexander had his entire output over the opening two quarters and Rotstein hit on 6-of-10 passes for 128 yards and all three of his scoring strikes.
St. John had a string of three straight return touchdowns (two via interceptions and one via punt return), as they ran their last play from scrimmage at the 5:42 mark of the first half and didn’t run another offensive snap until the 5:51 mark of the third quarter.
Bell, meanwhile, finished with five first downs, three via penalty, as the Saints were flagged eight times for 95 yards.
The Bulldogs, though, were totally overmatched, as St. John moved at will.