Boone’s Vanderslice runs for Berks record
Boone tops Muhlenberg, 42-19 behind senior back’s 403 yards, four touchdowns
“When I woke up today, I felt like I could do something great. I changed the music I listen to during pregame and that really put me in a good place.” – Daniel Boone running back Tanner Vanderslice after rushing for a Berks-county record 403 yards to go along with four touchdowns against Muhlenberg on Friday.
Daniel Boone’s Tanner Vanderslice looked spent, but swore he wasn’t.
“I could do it again, right now,” Vanderslice beamed after Friday’s game.
After a night like his, it’s easy to believe he could.
Vanderslice ran for a Berks-record 403 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries to lead Daniel Boone to a 42-19 Berks League Section 1 victory over Muhlenberg.
Vanderslice scored on runs of 45, 87, 13 and 57 yards in breaking the record of 379 yards, established by Central Catholic’s Joey Rys in 2010.
As excited as he was after the game, Vanderslice knew this wasn’t a solo effort.
“I’ve got to put it all on my guys up front,” he said.
Colin Leahy, Logan Dallas, Tony Rulli, Brian Hollis and Jake Dwinchick paved the way for Vanderslice all evening.
The offensive line sustained blocks, giving Vanderslice space to burst through the hole and Vanderslice was able to keep that burst going down the field throughout the game.
Vanderslice became the fourth Blazers running back to top 300 yards — that’s more than any other school.
Todd Schaeffer did it twice in the 1998 season, going for 303 vs. Conrad Weiser and 308 vs. Hamburg.
Nate Romig set the Boone record with 330 yards vs. Hamburg in 2005.
David Gilmore of Central Catholic became the first Berks back to top 300 yards, going for 356 vs. Wyomissing in 1983.
It had been five years since a Berks back topped 300 yards; Twin Valley’s Dan Ziegler went for 358 in 2014.
“Tonight’s game credits the growth we’ve made through the year,” said Blazers coach Rob Flowers. “It was cool for our kids to be a part of that.”
Vanderslice was certainly the catalyst for Blazers (1-3, 2-6) Friday night, but the Daniel Boone defense also played a role in the record-breaking performance as well, forcing Muhlenberg (0-4, 0-8) into passing situations and keeping the dangerous Rene Duffalt in check.
“We’re a young team,” said Flowers, “but we are growing together and that’s showing.”
Vanderslice nearly doubled his season total in one night. He had 456 yards through the first seven games.
When asked what may have sparked his record-setting performance, Vanderslice credited a good night’s sleep and a change in his pregame routine.
“When I woke up today, I felt like I could do something great,” he said. “I changed the music I listen to during pregame and that really put me in a good place.”
Clearly, a little change did a world of good for Tanner Vanderslice on Friday.