By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
KALAMAZOO - A potent ground game was all Dowagiac needed Friday night to pick up its first victory of the season.
Dowagiac (1-3) did not gain a single yard through the air, but its 297 yards on the ground was enough to earn a 27-6 win over host Kalamazoo Loy Norrix.
Rod Laylin rushed for a career-high 139 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns for the Chieftains, who avoid starting the season 0-4 for the second straight year.
Jeromy Northrop also rushed past the century mark as he carried the ball eight times for 103 yards.
Stanger despite being pleased was unhappy with the fact that Dowagiac went 0-for-4 on the night in the passing department.
Dowagiac scored a pair of first quarter touchdowns to get off to a fast start for the first time this season.
The Chieftains had trailed in the first quarter of its three previous contests.
Jason Manley made it 7-0 on an eight-yard run and a Hillary Bisnett point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick.
The Chieftains extended their advantage to 14-0 when Laylin scored on a 28-yard run and Bisnett connected on the PAT.
It was 21-0 after Laylin tallied for a second time in the second quarter, this time on an 11-yard run and Bisnett kick.
Loy Norrix (0-4) threatened to get back into the game following a big play as receiver Courtney McKinney hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Darrell Malone.
The run failed and the Knights trailed 21-6 heading into halftime.
Dowagiac completed its scoring in the third quarter when Laylin scored on a five-yard run.
Dowagiac failed on the extra point as the snap back to holder Jesse Cox squirted away and Bisnett was forced to pick it up and run.
The Chieftains gave up 237 yards through the air to Malone who was 17-of-33.
That figure is a bit misleading since 65-yards of it came on one play and another 70-plus yards came on the final drive of the game against the Dowagiac back-ups.
Two moves made during the week payed big dividends for the Chieftains.
Kameron Belew moved from linebacker to defensive line and played well up front for the Chieftains.
Schuyler File moved from tight end to offensive line and, despite missing some practice time with a shoulder injury, performed well according to Stanger.
Last year Dowagiac started playing well in the second half against Loy Norrix and then went on to win four straight games.
Stanger is hoping that the same thing will happen this year.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 Friday night.
Scoring Summary
D - Jason Manley 8 run (Hillary Bisnett kick)
D - Roderick Laylin 28 run (Bisnett kick)
D - Laylin 11 run (Bisnett kick)
LN - Courtney McKinny 65 pass from Darrell Malone (run failed)
D - Laylin 5 run (run failed)
Individual Statistics
Rushing – Laylin 22-139; Northrop 8-103; Bennett 7-31; Manley 4-17; Sizemore 3-12; Cox 4-3; Caldwell 1-(-2)
Passing – Cox 0-3-0
Punting – Cox 3-38.0; Stuppy 2-41.0