WEST CALDWELL, N.J. – David Butler scored four rushing touchdowns and Dylan Flexer recorded five sacks as Mansfield never trailed in a 49-19 CSFL win over Caldwell on Saturday afternoon.
 
It was the first meeting between the two programs.
 
Mansfield (1-4, 1-2 CSFL South) got on the board on its opening possession of the game with Butler punching it in from one yard out to cap a nine-play, 63-yard drive. Caldwell (1-3, 0-2 CSFL South) answered with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing possession with Carl Watson busting the first play from scrimmage 66 yards for the score. Kane Kania blocked the extra point attempt to maintain the Mountaineer lead at 7-6.
 
After a failed on-side kick by Caldwell, it took just two plays for Mountie quarterback Nick Cherasaro to connect with D.J. McLean for a 38-yard touchdown pass. It was McLean's team-leading fourth touchdown reception on the year.
 
The Cougars threatened to score again, driving the ball into the Mansfield redzone, but Dylan Flexer recorded sacks on both third-and-12 and fourth-and-21 to force the turnover on downs. Butler found pay dirt two more times in the first quarter to extend the Mansfield lead to 28-6.
 
The Mountaineer defense ended three Caldwell possessions with turnovers at the end of the first and beginning of the second quarters. Nicko Bryant Jr. forced a fumble that Josh Friebis fell on, Nic Anastasi picked-off a pass, and another Flexer sack resulted in a fumble recovery by Kane Kania.
 
Midway through the second quarter, Butler punched in his fourth touchdown of the half on a two-yard run. Butler's four touchdowns is a Mansfield sprint football record for most scores in a game.
 
Just before halftime, the Cougars used a grinding 10-play, 75-yard possession capped by Zavion Stevens 16-yard touchdown to cut the Mansfield lead to 35-12.
 
In the third, the Mountaineer defense forced another turnover with Kyle Post stripping the ball for Tae Miller to recover.
 
Later in the quarter, Adam Hutchison came in at quarterback and found Jeff Bagwell through the air for a 60-yard haul to threaten in Cougar territory. Hutchison would use a quarterback keeper on the next play to score from seven yards out.
 
In the fourth quarter, it was all Damir Washington who rushed for 45 yards, nine yards, then three yards for a touchdown on a three-play drive to put Mansfield ahead 49-12. Caldwell returned the kick-off for a touchdown, but the Mansfield lead would be insurmountable.
 
Mansfield was effective in both aspects of the offensive game totaling 216 rushing yards and 235 passing yards for 451 yards of total offense. It was the most offense for the Mountaineers since recording 510 yards in a win over Princeton during the 2014 season.
 
The Mountaineer defense stopped Caldwell on 14-of-18 third down attempts and 8-of-10 fourth down attempts. The defense also collected an incredible eight sacks for a loss of 66 yards. Flexer was responsible for a program record five of those sacks in the game to set a season record with 11.
 
Cherasaro completed 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Butler rushed 18 times for a net of 94 yards and had a record four touchdowns. Washington rushed six times for 64 yards and a score.
 
McLean caught just three passes, but made them count, totaling 76 yards while Bagwell posted 73 receiving yards.
 
Kania has a game-high 12 tackles with seven solo efforts and 1.5 sacks while Friebis totaled 10 tackles including five solo and a fumble recovery. Gaven Danneker had eight tackles and an interception.
 
The Mountaineers 49 points was the most since scoring 67 against Princeton back in 2014.
 
Mansfield returns to Karl Van Norman Field next Saturday for Senior Day against Army West Point.