Krynak, Burgettstown put win in sack
BURGETTSTOWN – An ongoing debate at school turned into a game for the ages.
Burgettstown players Bryan Krynak and Dalton Green have gone back and forth all season over who has more sacks on the season. Krynak might’ve been behind, but if so, he made up ground Friday night against Bentworth in a big way.
Krynak recorded 5½ sacks, recovered two fumbles and returned one for a 65-yard touchdown to lead Burgettstown over Bentworth, 35-7, Friday night at Hill Memorial Stadium in a Class 2-A Century Conference game.
“We kept arguing and arguing about it,” said Krynak. “We’re still fighting for who has more. We’ll keep going.”
Krynak’s dominance was the most noticeable defensive effort in a lopsided battle in the trenches. The Blue Devils (2-0, 2-1) totaled 12 sacks in all, with Green getting three and Colby Green chipping in with two.
Burgettstown set the tone early, coming after Bentworth quarterback Josh Hughes early and often, giving him no time to throw and taking away any chance the Bearcats had to run the ball.
“We were going to cause havoc,” said Burgettstown coach Mark Druga. “Shout-out to my brother Rich, the (defensive coordinator) Their quarterback is a great athlete, and we’re very impressed with him. But we were going to bring the house.”
Almost lost in the shuffle was the performance of first-time starter Nick Speer, in for injured tailback Shane Tennant. The junior rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries, gaining 100 yards by halftime.
“Oh, my goodness,” said Druga. “In a year and a half, he’s come so far as a young man. It was remarkable how well he ran for his first start.”
Tennant has an ankle injury and the optimistic timeline is for him to miss four weeks.
The Bearcats made a defensive adjustment and managed to contain Burgettstown in the second half, but the damage was done. Then came Krynak’s fumble return that put to rest any drama.
“I saw green grass, and I just took off as fast as I could,” said Krynak. “It’s my first one, and I’m so proud of it.”
Bentworth (1-2, 2-2) managed only five first downs, with its lone bright spot being a 73-yard touchdown pass from Hughes to Ben Peternel that gave the Bearcats brief momentum.
“We’re a wounded football team right now,” said Bentworth coach Ron Skiles. “They’re big. We just can’t handle that, so that was the story of the game.”
McLaughlin rushed 15 times for 66 yards and scored three touchdowns, covering 10, two and 13 yards. He also threw for a fourth score of five yards to Ryan Lounder.