NORTH CRAWFORD - Jed Scallon ran for three touchdowns as the Ithaca Bulldogs crushed the North Crawford Trojans, 50-0, on Homecoming Saturday at Ithaca.

Parker Hisel, Brock Nelson, Chase Keller and Sawyer Willis also scored as the Bulldogs gained a share of first place in the Ridge and Valley Conference standings. Senior linemen Jonah Marchwick, Logan Clary and Aaron Feryance each carried for two-point conversions, and Ira Coppernoll converted two of four kicks.

Ithaca improved to 4-1 in league play (5-1 overall) and pulled even with DeSoto in first place after DeSoto dropped a 14-13 overtime thriller to Seneca-Wauzeka-Steuben. SWS and Highland are each one-half game behind in a tie for third. The win ensured a playoff berth for Ithaca.

Ithaca’s homecoming proved anti-climactic as expected. North Crawford, which remained winless at 0-5, managed only 29 yards - 24 passing and five rushing. Although Ithaca did not complete a pass, they amassed 377 on the ground. The Bulldogs had a 15-1 edge in first downs.   

Ithaca jumped out to a 31-0 lead in the first quarter. Scallon, who totaled 111 yards on five carries,  scored on runs of three, 20 and 38 yards, and Hisel raced 32 yards. Substituting freely and often, Nelson ran 15 yards and Keller added a one-yard sneak in the second quarter. With a running clock in the second half, Willis ran 28 yards for the only touchdown after intermission in the fourth quarter. 

“We did what we needed to do,” said coach Chad Clary. “Now we go from one extreme to another.” The Bulldogs host River Ridge - a possible playoff foe - in a non-conference game Friday night in a tune-up for a first place battle with DeSoto on Oct. 11 before concluding regular season against Wonewoc-Center/Weston on Oct. 18