Brody Bonsell sets three records during McDowell’s win over Meadville
The McDowell Trojans required each of Brody Bonsell’s single-game team records during their high-scoring victory against the Meadville Bulldogs.
Brody Bonsell set three official records during McDowell’s Sept. 19 game against Meadville.
The senior established standards for rushing yards (381), rushing touchdowns (seven) and points (42).
Bonsell also set an unofficial Trojans’ record after four high-scoring quarters at Gus Anderson Field: The most single-game records needed to win a single game.
The Trojans outlasted the Bulldogs 65-47 in a non-region matchup defined by an improbable scoring frenzy more than Bonsell’s mammoth performance.
The teams jammed a field goal and four touchdowns – two of them on consecutive kickoff returns – within the last 75 seconds of the third quarter.
“It became a next-play mentality,” Bonsell said. “Things happen in a football game. I scored, but when I was back on the field it was,
‘Hey, let’s go score again.’”
Although McDowell coach Aaron Slocum didn’t anticipate the 2-3 Trojans and 1-4 Bulldogs would combine for 112 points, he wasn’t surprised by Meadville’s counterpunch tendencies.
“Did I expect this to be a fight? Absolutely,” he said. “They’ve got some tough-nosed kids and Ray (Collins) does a great job of coaching those guys.
“Our kids found a way to win in the end, so good for us, but we have a lot of work to do.”
Banished by Bonsell
A weaving 93-yard run in the second quarter was Bonsell’s signature carry of his signature performance. His seven rushing scores were two more than Joe Gabbard’s previous standard of five, which he’d held since 2002, according to McDowell’s statisticians.
Bonsell also obliterated the Trojans’ former mark for rushing yards in a game. Justin Hammond’s 350 total had stood since 2004.
The last of Bonsell’s scores left him with 42 points, six more than any player in team history.
“This truly doesn’t feel real,” Bonsell said. “It’s amazing. Everyone played their butts off (Sept. 19). Not just our (offensive line), but everyone. The tight ends, the receivers, and even our quarterback.”
Other notables
McDowell’s Joseph Clark complimented Bonsell’s performance with his record-tying effort. The sophomore converted 11 points with kicks
Clark’s 39-yard field goal ignited the onslaught of points at the end of the third quarter. That was his second three-point attempt after he missed low and wide on a 43-yarder during the first half.
Kameron Bastow and Owen Haffey accounted for McDowell’s non-Bonsell touchdowns.
Bastow ran a post pattern for a 41-yard scoring pass from Deonte Flemings late in the first half. It was one the Trojans led 28-20 at the break.
Haffey countered Meadville’s 95-yard kickoff return with his 88-yarder amid the third quarter’s points frenzy.
Meadville lost despite Jacoby Thompson’s four touchdown passes.
Who’s next
McDowell’s won its lone non-region game against a Pennsylvania opponent. Other such teams on the Trojans’ 2025 schedule are from New York or Ohio, which includes Warren (Ohio) Harding High School.
The Trojans will travel to the Raiders’ Mollenkopf Stadium on Sept. 26.
Meadville lost the first of its three straight road games. The Bulldogs are at Sharon on Sept. 26 and at Franklin on Oct. 3.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.