September 12, 2009
Butler, Lions too much for Bees
Bayonne had no answers for Lincoln's Ronald Butler in a 34-0 Lions victory.
Click Here for more photos from Lincon at Bayonne.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
BAYONNE - For Lincoln’s Ronald Butler, it was a personal highlight film.
The junior receiver/defensive back set the tone early with a series of spectacular plays as the Lions rolled to a 34-0 victory over Bayonne last night at Veterans Stadium.
“I was feeling it from the beginning of the game,” Butler said. “It was just regular old me playing football.”
“High school football’s about big plays and they happened to make them,” Bayonne coach Frank Blunda said. “We knew they had playmakers and tonight that just proved they had playmakers.”
Already up 7-0, Butler, ensured the momentum never left Lincoln (1-0), when he intercepted at midfield and took it 50 yards all the way down the Bayonne (0-1) 4-yard line with just six seconds left in the quarter.
Three plays later, Ty Stevens ran it in from 6-yards out for the touchdown, the Lions’ second in a span of just 86 seconds.
The Butler show continued into the second quarter, but not without the help of co-star Lamar McKnight. McKnight connected with Butler on a 64-yard scoring strike that saw Butler stay on his feet after receiving a crushing hit by a defender at the 30-yard line.
Butler was far from done on this night. On the final play of the second quarter, he pulled down a pass that was deflected off the hands of a Bees’ defender near the end zone for a touchdown. The 35-yard score gave Lincoln a 28-0 advantage heading into the half.
On the play before McKnight had hit Butler for a 26-yard completion.
“We’ve been (making plays) since my freshman year,” Butler said about his chemistry with McKnight. “We’ve been connecting for the longest (time). Whether it’s me at quarterback and him at receiver or him at quarterback and me at receiver, it doesn’t matter. We always connect.”
Butler finished with three receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns on the evening. He later added a second interception in the third quarter.
“Ronald Butler is one of the best receivers in the state,” Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton said. “He’s one of the best pure athletes in the state.”
While Lincoln’s passing success may have been a surprise in the muddy conditions, the performance of Stevens was not. The junior running back seemed right at home in this environment, rushing for three touchdowns in the victory.
“He did a great job,” Hampton said. “He ran hard tonight. He’s a tough kid and this (weather) is perfect for him. He’s a mudder.”
Stevens finish with 115 yards on 20 carries. McKnight added 58 yards on the ground in addition to 128 through the air on 4-of-10 passing.
Tyriek Porch had 25 yards rushing and 17 passing to the lead a Bees team that was limited to 61 yards of total offense.
Bayonne looks to bounce back next week at North Bergen, while the Lions look to improve to 2-0 when they host Kearny.
Lincoln's Ty Stevens rushed for three touchdowns in the victory.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln (1-0) | 6 |
22 |
0 |
6 |
34 |
| Bayonne (0-0) | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| L: Ty Stevens, 1 run (pass failed) | |||||
| L: Stevens, 6 run (Anthony Jackson pass from Lamar McKinight) | |||||
| L: Ronald Butler, 64 pass from McKnight (pass failed) | |||||
| L: Butler, 35 pass from McKnight (Jackson pass from McKnight | |||||
| L: Butler, 1 run (run failed) | |||||