BUFFALO – Whether it was an extensive overhaul in the hanger by the mechanics – or simply a good week of practice – the Jet engine belonging to the Altoona-Midway football team operated smoothly at full thrust here Friday night.
The result was an impressive 64-18 victory by AMHS over the Burrton Chargers before a jubilant home crowd at Frank Kennedy Field.
The Jet offense – which sputtered in the season opener due to injuries, penalties, and a rugged Chetopa defense – turned in an impressive, high-octane performance against Burrton. Altoona-Midway scored six touchdowns in the opening quarter and added four more TDs in the second period. The game was called at halftime due to the mercy rule.
“Tonight we came out strong. We played good defense and we able to set the tone of the game,” said AMHS coach Randy Almond. “We got in a groove and never let up.
“We were very proud of all the guys tonight,” Almond added. “Now we know what we’re capable of and hopefully we can build on this and continue to improve.”
The game was tied 6-6 after each team scored on its first possession. The Jets then rattled off 33 unanswered points to go up 39-6 and leave little doubt about the outcome.
Burrton scored twice to close the deficit to 46-18, but AMHS found paydirt three more times, making the score 64-18 at halftime and resulting in the game being called. Burrton fell to 1-1 on the year.
“It was a total team effort tonight,” Almond said. “We were pumped from the start and kept up that intensity until the final horn.”
Joey Lamendola and Kage Beck racked up four touchdowns apiece to pace the potent Jet attack.
Lamendola notched the first two Jet scores on a 34-yard run and 40-yard kickoff return. He later added a pair of TD receptions from Kieran Foster which covered 53 and 34 yards, respectively.
Beck hauled in four TD receptions on the day – an 8-yard pass from Foster, and three aerial darts from William Stackhouse, covering 32, 17 and 29 yards.
Stackhouse also crossed the goal line twice, scoring on a 30-yard scramble and a 6-yard run.
The Jets have a dual-threat passing attack this season. Stackhouse finished the night 4-for-5 for 100 yards and three TDs. Foster also threw for three scores and netted 93 yards on 4-for-10 passing.
Lamendola and Beck each had three receiving touchdowns on four catches apiece, accumulating 107 and 86 yards, respectively.
On the ground, the Jets saw Lamendola and Stackhouse carry the ball eight times each for double-digit average yards per carry. Lamendola finished with 97 yards and Stackhouse rang up 91.
“Joey had a night tonight,” Almond noted. “He came to play and left his heart and soul on the field.”
Stackhouse topped the defensive statistics 14 tackles, including 11 unassisted. Foster had eight total tackles while Beck had seven, Lamendola six, Taj Chism five, Chance Carter four, Tyler Peyton three and Kenny Smith one.
