Football: McKenzie, the talented ‘Mr. Ripped,’ leads Springfield past Glen Mills

SPRINGFIELD >> For a moment during the third quarter, there was confusion. All of a sudden, No. 24 was taking carries in the Springfield backfield. On the Cougars roster, No. 24 is Jake Bush, a junior varsity reserve. This was not him. It was the guy one would expect to carry the ball — Ja’Den McKenzie. His familiar No. 13 jersey had ripped a few plays earlier. So, he switched uniforms and returned to the field.

That little moment of intrigue was one amid an impressive season-opening performance from McKenzie and the Cougars, who took care of Glen Mills 28-8 Friday in nonleague action. “It’s a nice thing to have,” said Springfield coach Chris Britton of his star running back. “Mr. Ripped — he’s more worried about his number.”

McKenzie rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns (for the record, he had 109 yards has No. 13 and 51 as No. 24). He also returned a fumble 96 yards for another score. It was a fitting performance.

His first touchdown came on the game’s first play from scrimmage on a 57-yard burst. His final carry of the night was a six-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that put the contest away.

“I just saw big, green grass in front of me,” explained McKenzie of his first-quarter run. “So I just took off, I had to go.”

Jack Psenicska, making his first start at quarterback, threw for 165 yards and one touchdown. He found super athlete Kyle Long — making his return to football after a year off — five times for 95 yards. The most impressive connection was a 31-yard score in the second quarter.

Long ran right up the seam, and in stride caught the ball over his shoulder and his crossed the goal line.

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