The Stone Memorial High School Panthers were in control of the game from the outset as they traveled to York and came away with a 36-0 win.

Coach Mark Wattenbarger said, "Anytime we come away with a road win it is good and to play this well in the first game was a plus. We were basically penalty free and didn't have any turnovers."

Stone won the coin toss and deferred to the second half to begin the game.

After allowing one first down to the Dragons the defense stopped the hosts and began their initial drive at their own 22-yard line and behind good work by the offensive line methodically moved the ball down the field, taking more than six minutes off the clock with London Smith, Larry Breeden and B.J. Carr running the ball. Carr scored the first touchdown on the 14th play of the drive from three yards out. John Cain's PAT was good and Stone led 7-0 with 2:55 remaining in the first period.

Wattenbarger said, "We controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and were able to average 6.5 yards per carry."

The Panther defense held York on their next possession and Zack Stedam returned the punt to the Dragon 33-yard line. Two runs by Carr moved the ball to the 10 and Smith took it in from there with Cain's PAT making it 14-0 as the first period ended.

The Stone defense remained stingy on the next series with the big play being a sack by Brandon Moore and the Panthers took over again at their 40-yard line.

Key plays in this drive were a Dustin Dishman pass to Brandon Fish for a first down and a Dishman run on fourth down that gave Stone a first and goal at the York nine. Fish then took a Dishman handoff and spun around tacklers for the score to give Stone a 20-0 lead with 6:43 remaining in the half.

Junior linebacker Brandon Cole made a key stop on the Dragons' option in the next defensive series as the Panthers again stopped York and took over at their own 20. Key to this drive was a screen pass to Carr that was good for a first down at the Dragon's 24-yard line. Fish then took the Dishman pitch and, behind a key block by Jesse Lowe scored for a 26-0 halftime lead for the Panthers.

After taking the second half kickoff the Panthers moved down the field but were stopped at the York 14 and Cain converted on a 33-yard field goal for a 29-0 lead that held through the third period.

Stone was forced to punt for the only time of the game early in the fourth period but the defense remained strong as on third down and two Moore hit the Dragon runner in the backfield, forcing another York punt that gave Stone the ball near midfield.

Patrick Brumfield took over the quarterback duties from Dishman and after a run by Carr and a sneak to a first down at the 38-yard line, Brumfield took off around right end and scored on a 29-yard scamper for the final score of 36-0.

For the night Stone accounted for 21 first downs to only three for the Dragons and amassed 323 rushing yards while holding York to 137.

The Panthers gained 73 yards through the air while allowing none for the Dragons.

Carr led the Stone rushing attack carrying the ball 19 times for 108 yards with Smith, Fish and Breeden along with Dishman, Brumfield and Thomas Janow making significant contributions.

Matt Donnan had six solo tackles for the Panthers with Moore, Cole and Karl Davenport also stepping up on the defensive side along with the entire defensive team.

Of the shutout win Wattenbarger commented, "Last year big plays really hurt us and we focused on that throughout our spring practices and now. Our kids managed to keep that from happening in this game." Wattenbarger gave special recognition to Cole, Moore, Carr and Fish for their play.

Stone is on the road again this week, traveling to take on Livingston Academy and Wattenbarger said, "It will be a different game plan this week. Livingston has a lot of speed and will put a lot of people in space."

Score by quarters

SMHS 14 12 3 7 -- 36

York 0 0 0 0 -- 0

SM: B.J. Carr two-yard run (John Cain kick)

SM: London Smith 10-yard run (John Cain kick)

SM: Brandon Fish nine-yard run (Kick failed)

SM: Brandon Fish 24-yard run (Kick failed)

SM: John Cain 33-yard field goal

SM: Patrick Brumfield 29-yard run (John Cain kick)