Sep 06, 2024
CARLISLE, Pa. – No. 10 Randolph-Macon outscored Dickinson 40-7 in the second half to post a 47-21 victory on Friday evening to kick off the 2024 season.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 47, Dickinson 21
Venue: Biddle Field
Records: Randolph-Macon 1-0, DC 0-1
How it Happened:
- Each team picked up one first down on its first possession. The Yellow Jacket defense held the Red Devils on a three-and-out on their second possession, with senior Dylan Watson (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) recording a sack on second down.
- RMC then moved the ball to DC33, but a sack on fourth down halted the drive.
- DC drove inside the RMC10 before sophomore Matthew MacNichol (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) forced and recovered a fumble early in the second period.
- The Red Devils found the end zone with 3:16 left in the first half to take a 7-0 advantage.
- RMC responded quickly. Senior Dante Casciola (Charlotte, N.C./Weddington) hit junior Jason Moore (Craven County, N.C./Havelock) on a 48-yard pass to start the drive. Casciola ran it in from five yards out with 1:10 to go until halftime to level the score at 7-7.
- DC hit a 58-yard pass for a TD with 41 seconds left to take a 14-7 lead at intermission.
- On the third play of the third quarter, Moore ran a sweep to the right side for a 50-yard touchdown sprint as the Yellow Jackets tied the game at 14-14 with 13:41 left.
- The Red Devils fumbled on their first play from scrimmage and senior linebacker Tony Skinner (Spotsylvania, Va./Riverbend) recovered at the DC12. That led to a 22-yard field goal by senior Kyle Ihle (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) with 11:31 remaining as RMC took its first lead at 17-14.
- Senior Coleton Payne (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) snared an interception and returned it 31 yards for a TD to extend the lead to 23-14.
- An interception by senior Owen Arruza (Ashland, Va./Patrick Henry) gave the Yellow Jackets the ball on the DC9. Ihle nailed a 28-yard field goal as RMC went up 26-14 midway through the third period.
- Junior Cameron Chatmon (Willow Spring, N.C./Green Level) scored on a one-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to push the advantage to 33-14.
- Senior tailback Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick) added a seven-yard score near the midway point of the final period to make it 40-14.
- After the Red Devils registered a third TD, Chatmon finished the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run to make the final 47-21.
By The Numbers:
- After scoring just seven points in the first half, RMC put up 40 points in the second half.
- The Yellow Jacket defense held the Red Devils to 61 yards on the ground.
- Casciola was 12 of 17 for 162 yards. He also ran for a touchdown.
- Clarke had 12 carries for 82 yards and one TD. Chatmon rushed for 36 yards and two scores.
- Moore had four catches for 94 yards. He ran the ball one time for a 50-yard touchdown.
- Neftali Reyes paced the defense with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops. Skinner had seven tackles and a fumble recovery.
For The Record:
- The Yellow Jackets have won five straight season openers.
- RMC is 6-0 all-time against Dickinson
- The Yellow Jackets have won 27 straight regular season games, which ranks in the top five in the nation at all levels.
- RMC has won 11 consecutive non-conference regular season contests.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will host Hobart on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12 p.m.