JOSEPH GETS SECOND-STRAIGHT SHUTOUT

FIRST QUARTER ONLY: Joseph's Randall Eschler had 66 yards on five carries, including a touchdown, before leaving Thursday's 32-0 win over Stanfield with an injured ankle. (The Observer file photo/C.J. GISH).

By The Observer

JOSEPH The Joseph Eagles running game worked so well Thursday night that it barely needed to pass at all.

Joseph threw the ball just five times but ran the ball 41 times, including five times for touchdowns in a 32-0 non-league prep football victory over Stanfield.

We didnt have to throw, so we didnt, Joseph coach Rusty Eschler said.

The Eagles gained 359 yards on the ground and got 100-yard rushing performances from Jeremy Dalton and Marcus Wells.

Dalton padded his 144 yards rushing with a 77-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Wells, the quarterback who had 100 yards on 11 carries, scored in the first and third quarters and ran in the two-point conversion on Daltons score.

Stanfield, meanwhile, was limited to 95 yards on the ground and 49 yards in the air.

Randal Eschler had a 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and had 66 yards on five carries when he left later that period with a twisted ankle. Coach Eschler, his father, said the ankle bothers him occasionally and is scheduled to be operated on after the season.

Cody Lathrop had a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The shutout was Josephs second in a row. The Eagles beat Elgin 45-0 a week ago.

Joseph (3-2) hosts Union a week from today in its return to Wapiti League action.

Stanfield 0 0 0 0 0

Joseph 12 14 6 0 32

J Randal Eschler 21 run (kick failed)

J Marcus Wells 18 run (run failed)

J Jeremy Dalton 77 run (Wells run)

J Cody Lathrop 4 run (run failed)

J Wells 4 run (kick failed)

Individual statistics

Stanfield names unavailable

RUSHING Stanfield, No. 11 20-98, No. 33 5-10, No. 36 6-9, No. 44 4-9, No. 30 4-(minus 13), No. 85 1-(minus 18). Joseph, Dalton 10-144, Wells 11-100, Eschler 5-66, Witherrite 6-22, Cod.Lathrop 4-15, Strickland 2-10, Gamboa 3-2.

PASSING Stanfield, No. 30 4-20-1-49. Joseph, Wells 3-5-0-29.

RECEIVING Stanfield, No. 80 4-49. Joseph, Col.Lathrop 1-19, Nall 1-8, Eschler 1-2.