After coming off of an electrifying victory against the Robeson Raiders (2-2) to improve their record to 1-2, marking the first time RB Football had won a non-conference game in two years, the Bulldogs immediately slipped up the following Friday with a loss to the Fenton Bison (2-2). The Bison were able to cap off a 33-22 victory over the favored Bulldogs, who were not expected to lose a conference game in the foreseeable future. The loss snapped a nine game conference winning streak dating back to the 07-08 season, which was started after their last loss to Fenton.
They began the season against the likes of Metamora and Nazareth, two powerhouses in the state. Senior Quarterback Billy VandeMerkt has played well though this year and has found a favorable target in fellow Senior wide receiver Mark McDonagh, who in the process of blowing out Robeson, set a state record for receptions in a game. McDonagh however, is not overly concerned with setting marks, as winning is his primary concern. “The record sure was nice, but now we’re all past that, and focused as a team on winning conference,” he said.
Unfortunately, that goal is significantly harder now that the Dogs have played their way into needing for a little help from Ridgewood and Elmwood Park against Fenton over the next few weeks. That doesn’t mean that they’re completely dependent on those teams though. While Fenton is now 2-0 in the Metro Suburban Conference, RB can still play their way back into at least a tie for first place on October 9th, 2009, when the Bison venture on over to Shuey Stadium in a grudge match for the Dogs.
Fenton QB Eric Justiniano and company will possibly be looking to secure a conference championship when they come to town, head coach Otto Zeman will be looking to climb back into the thick of things.
The Dogs were able to come back after the devastating loss to their conference foes, by walloping the Elmwood Park Tigers 48-7. Once again Mark McDonagh blew away the state record for receptions in a game, the second time in three weeks he’s done so, by hauling in an eye-popping 25 catches. McDonagh, however, wasn’t the only one re-writing the record books. VandeMerkt set a state record for career completions with his 646th successful pass attempt.
