COLLINS — It was a night full of history making for the Plymouth Big Red football team. On a wet and rainy Friday night, the Big Red took on Firelands Conference foe the Western Reserve Roughriders and came out victorious by a score of 47-34 at Roughrider Stadium at Western Reserve High School.
The win marked the first time the Big Red earned a W against Western Reserve since the 1998 season. But that wasn’t the only history that was made. With the win, the Big Red improved to 6-2 on the 2014 campaign; they clinched the first winning season since their magical 1998 season.
The Big Red jumped out to an early lead on the very first offensive play that saw the dynamic duo of quarterback Hunter Bailey and wide receiver Tyrell Edmiston hook up for one of their three touchdown connections that went 47 yards. The pair connected again on the first play of the second quarter for a 68-yard touchdown and again later for nine yards.
A close game after the first quarter, the second frame saw the Big Red completely dominate. They would push it to 34-14 at the half after forcing 3 turnovers on downs in the quarter and a bruising touchdown run by running back Dylan Carol. A late surge by the Roughriders was a little too late and the Big Red walked off of the rain soaked field with a 13 point win.
History: Friday night was full of history for the Big Red. Edmiston is now the new owner of the single season school record for receiving yards in a single season breaking a record that dates back to 1985 set by arguably one of the best athletes in Plymouth history in Steve Hall. Edmiston now has 1,017 yards breaking the record of 912. He hauled in just four catches but piled up 159 yards with three touchdowns.
“It is a testament to how hard he has worked. He is a great kid with a great work ethic,” Plymouth Big Red Coach Mark Genders said. “He is such a positive influence on the kids around here. My son always has to sit by him during team meals. No questions asked. He deserves this record.”
Clinching: The Big Red clinched their first winning season in 16 years when they went 8-2 in 1998. The Big Red ended the night with a set of Big Red Jacks for the faithful fans that stuck out the rainy weather, and then broke the post game huddle with a loud “History” cry.
“It has to be one of the best feelings ever,” Genders added. “It shows the progress of the program. And as a coach, there is no prouder moment than when you finally see the progress pay off. It’s our year. It was nice to do it against these guys. Neither my coaching staff nor I have ever beaten them. So, it just makes it a little more special.”
Butch: Plymouth Senior Chance Butcher turned in what might be the best all around game in Plymouth History. The Linebacker/Running back stuffed the stat sheet full. He piled up 17 tackles while running 22 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Butcher is one of the area leaders in tackles and has proven himself as a real threat running the ball.
Up Next: With all the history the Big Red made Friday night, it is hard to think that there could be something left. Bailey is up next to write his name in the record books. Sitting at exactly 1,600 yards passing on the season, he needs just 62 more yards to set the school record in passing yards in a single season set by current Plymouth Head Basketball Coach Troy Keene in 1985. Bailey is expected to take down that record next week.
Playoffs: The Big Red is also on schedule to clinch the schools first ever playoff birth. They are currently ranked 11th in the state in Division VII and could be mathematically clinched after their win Friday night.
The Big Red improves to 6-2 on the season and will play host to New London this week. “Every time we play New London, it is a dog fight. They beat us the past two years on the last play of the game. I hope it comes out our way this year,” Genders said.
