LIMA – In the span of just a couple weeks, Bryce McKinstry has gone from little-used reserve to a full-fledged big-play weapon.
Bryce McKinstry
Despite his terrific size, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior had not even been targeted by quarterback Hayden Lehmann through the Little Giants’ first four games of the season.
But that changed in last week’s win at St. John’s. A 33-yard catch set up one touchdown and he narrowly missed out on several deep throws throughout the night.
In Ross’ 28-24 win over Lima Friday, McKinstry used his size to reach high over his head in the end zone for the game’s first score. Then, as Lehmann scrambled under pressure in the final minute of the fourth quarter, McKinstry slipped his coverage, settled himself in the corner of the end zone and waited, all alone, as Lehmann’s pass found him for a 27-yard game-winning score.
“It’s coming at me in slow motion and I’m happy to God that I caught it,” McKinstry said.
He finished the night with three catches for 66 yards. But more important than his numbers, is his emergence now gives Ross four legitimate targets in the passing game, along with Roger Burling, Noah Hotz and Devyn Jagodzinksi.
“Everyone wants a piece of the pie and the great thing is we have four guys we can throw it to at any time,” coach Chad Long said. “If you want to double Roger, we got the other guys to throw to it to.
“Bryce can take a mismatch with smaller corner like we did last week against St. John’s and he was able to out-jump kids here tonight,” he added.
That size gives Ross a new dimension. While Burling, 6-2, has good size and terrific speed, McKinstry has a couple inches on Burling and can create mismatches for smaller defenders.
As freshmen on the junior varsity team two years ago, Lehmann and McKinstry enjoyed a tremendous rapport which is beginning to get re-established.
“He was literally the only person I threw to,” Lehmann said. “Me and him had that connection. Last year I got hurt and we lost that. This year we’re building it back. He hasn’t had as a big of a role as when we were freshmen and now he’s starting to get that role back.”
So how has McKinstry broken out over the last two weeks after being lost in the crowd to start the season?
“I’ve been doing better in practice,” McKinstry said. “Coach has been on me to do better and play to my full potential. I think that’s what happened.”
McKinstry’s play is no surprise to Long.
“We’ve always told him he has potential,” he said. “He just had to believe it an work hard. He’s practicing harder and he’s gaining confidence.
“He has that (Division I college) potential,” Long added. “Colleges know it and they’re recruiting him. They see the potential. They see the size. He’s athletic. He just has to believe.”