MOUNTAIN RIDGE MINER FOOTBALL

FROSTBURG — The Nathan Shipe era at Mountain Ridge began with a bang, as the Miners routed Southern, 49-6, on Friday to extend their home winning streak to 27 games.

The Miners (1-0) led 35-0 at the end of the first period and 42-0 at the half, and junior quarterback Cobe Penick threw three touchdown passes. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 82 yards and added 54 yards and a score on five carries.

Mountain Ridge struck first at the 9:36 mark of the first quarter on a 24-yard strike from Penick to Owen McGeady. Penick also completed aerial scores to Eli Sibley from 24 yards out with 8:30 left in the first and again to Sibley from six yards out with 1:19 to play in the half.

Penick added a one-yard scamper for a score with 5:37 to play in the first, and Kyree Griffin also ran for a score from 20 yards away with 1:28 on the first quarter clock.

Lane Frost added a defensive touchdown, a 20-yard pick-six with 5:37 remaining in the first period.

Mountain Ridge mostly played subs in the second half, and Levi Clise scored the team’s seventh touchdown on a two-yard run with 5:15 remaining in the fourth.

Southern’s lone score came by way of a three-yard Brayden Rodeheaver touchdown run with 7:30 left in the third. The Rams missed the extra point.

Mountain Ridge out-gained the Rams, 250-70, and rushed for 164 yards on 25 carries. Southern rushed is 21 times for 38 yards.

Clise had eight carries for 58 yards, and Griffin carried it seven times for 37 yards.

McGeady caught two passes for 35 yards, Sibley made two grabs for 30 yards and Kris Washington had three catches for 20 yards.

Mountain Ridge place kicker Tyler Cook was a perfect 7 for 7 on extra points. McGeady, Sibley and Elijah Rafferty recovered Southern fumbles.

Mountain Ridge combined for 10 tackles for loss. Daniel Swindle led the Miners with four total tackles.

Jacob Brown led Southern gaining 22 yards on four carries.

Mountain Ridge hosts Catoctin on Friday, and Southern (0-1) hosts Hancock.