Football - Mt Pleasant vs Derry

Justin Flack's 5 TDs Power Derry in 48-7 Romp Over Mt Pleasant 

If Justin Flack's first carry for Derry was any clue, Mt. Pleasant should have known they were facing a long, tough night. After the Trojans forced the Vikings to punt following a 3-and-out on the game's first possession, Flack carried around the right side and didn't stop until he had traveled 71 yards into the end zone, putting the Trojans on the board less than two minutes into the first quarter. A successful two-point conversion gave Derry a 8-0 lead at 10:14 of the opening frame. It was the first of five times Flack would cross the goal line for Derry on the night. As the Mt Pleasant offense sputtered, Derry capitalized quickly, capping a 27-yard drive with Flack's 4-yard run on a direct snap, making the score 14-0 after the failed PAT attempt. Hunter Hebenthal got his first varsity TD as he carried with 2:11 left in the first quarter, and Derry was up 21-0 when the quarter ended. Mt Pleasant finally got their offense moving in the second quarter with a combination of quick passes, culminating in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Pieszak to Jake Johnson, and the Derry margin was cut to 21-7 with 8:41 left in the second half. But the Justin Flack train would roll through Mt. Pleasant again at 4:23 of the second quarter as he scored from 6 yards out to make it 28-7. Flack wasted no time getting into the end zone for a fourth time, scampering 76 yards down the home sideline at 2:44 remainig in the second. A missed PAT made the score 34-7. Following a quick Viking turnover as Derry's Pryce Donovan picked off Dom Deluca's tip of a Pieszak pass on the ensuing possesion, Flack scored on the next play via the air as he hauled in a Paul Koontz pass and ran 36 yards at 2:24 left until halftime. Derry lead 41-7 as the horn sounded and the bands took the field for intermission. 

Derry got the ball to start the second half and their running game started eating the third quarter clock. The clock became even less a factor as Dom DeLuca took a pass from Koontz into the end zone with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter. The resulting PAT kick made the score 48-7, where it remained as the game clock quickly ticked away under the running clock mercy rule. 

Derry improves to 2-0 in conference play, 4-0 overall, and hosts North Catholic next week. Mt. Pleasant drops to 1-1 in conference, 1-3 overall and hosts Deer Lakes next Friday.

A ceremony was held at halftime with the family of former Vikings football radio announcer Don Bischoff on hand for the dedication of a plaque and scholarship in his honor.    

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.