|
|
|
 | |
|
|
Still without a scratch: Wapak freshman football ties St. Henry, stays unbeaten in '09 |
|
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 |
By CHRIS VOLOSCHUK
Sports Editor
On fourth-and-goal from the St. Henry six-yardline, Wapakoneta Redskins quarterback Kyle Gibson dropped back, looked left and fired a pass incomplete to the end zone.
It represented the Redskin freshman football team’s last chance to score in the fourth quarter of a tie game, and came with just nine seconds left on the clock.
St. Henry got a single play off before time expired, resulting in a 26-26 final to wrap up the season Monday under the lights at Harmon Field.
It wasn’t quite the result Wapak was looking for, but it didn’t do any damage to what has been an unblemished 2009 season for the team. The tie meant they finished 8-0-1.
“It feels great,” Wapak freshman coach Mark Law said. “Our kids played hard. In the second half, they just kept playing and kept playing. When you have a chance to win the game on the last play of the game, what can you say?”
It was a much different game than the Redskins had grown accustomed to over the course of the previous eight weeks, mainly because St. Henry scored first.
With 5:32 to play in the first quarter, Wapak lined up for its second offensive play from scrimmage at the St. Henry one. Gibson took the snap and took off on a keeper play but lost control of the ball and fumbled, allowing St. Henry to recover. On its first play, from the Wapak three, running back Dominic Leugers pushed up the middle for the game’s first touchdown. A successful two-point conversion meant it was 8-0 St. Henry.
Wapak wasted almost no time in answering, though. On the ensuing kickoff, returner Michael Greer cut slightly to his right and found an opening, sprinting 72 yards to the end zone to make it 8-6.
After Zach Deitering intercepted St. Henry QB Jordan Bender, Wapak got another chance with just over two minutes left in the first. In six plays, Gibson led the Redskins 50 yards (including a St. Henry 15-yard penalty) downfield, completing passes to Johnny Crawford and Jenson Merricle. On second-and-four from the St. Henry four, Gibson called his own number and ran the four yards into the end zone. After converting for two points, Wapak led 14-8.
At the start of the second quarter, Wapak got the ball and turned the possession into six more points from 31 yards out. Gibson scored another touchdown on a one-yard run for a 20-8 lead with 7:22 to go.
While he was inconsistent throwing the ball all evening against a tough St. Henry defense (11-23, 136 yards, one interception), Gibson was very effective running the ball. He finished the game with 15 carries for 53 yards and three TDs.
“He’s come a long way where if he doesn’t see [the receiver] he can pull it down and make some positive yards for us.”
In the final seven minutes of the half, St. Henry was able to score twice to tie the game at 20 heading into the locker room. On a 12-play, 63-yard drive, the Redskins were able to punch in a three-yard TD run with running back Trey Rutschilling to make it 20-14. On Wapak’s next drive, Gibson was picked off by Kent Stammen inside their own 20, leading to a one-yard TD scamper by Rutschilling four plays later.
During the first of the two scoring drives, St. Henry lost Bender (4-6, 40 yards, one interception) to an injury, prompting the use of both Rutschilling and receiver Kent Hemmelgarn under center. Rutschilling (17 carries, 64 yards, two TDs) was used as a rusher, while Rutschilling went on to complete two of three passes for 57 yards and a score.
“They had some big backs and they like to pound the ball,” Law said.
To start the third, Wapak ran an eight-play, 57-yard drive and capped it with a one-yard Gibson run for a TD. It would prove to be Wapak’s last score of the game, 26-20.
With 6:31 left in the fourth, St. Henry was able to tie it up, shaping the final outcome. Starting at their own 28, the Redskins were able to reach the end zone, the big blow coming on a 49-yard completion from Hemmelgarn to Stammen down the left sideline.
“It’s one of those plays you wish you had back,” Law said.
Wapak’s ensuing drive lasted 17 plays, covered 73 yards in a shade over six minutes but ended on fourth down with Gibson’s incompletion.
“You kind of feel bad knowing we finished in a tie, knowing we were right there on the doorstep” Law said. “But it was a great game for us and our kids had a great season and they had a lot of fun so that’s what it’s all about.”
Wapak’s receiving corps was strong, as Crawford (four catches, 62 yards), Merricle (three catches, 21 yards), Brendon Christler (two catches, 33 yards) and Brandon Miller (one catch, 15 yards) all shared the load.
Stammen led St. Henry in receiving with three catches for 79 yards. Rutschilling and Leugers combined to rush 24 times for 91 yards and three scores.
Overall, Wapak won the yardage battle, totaling 209 (136 passing, 73 rushing). St. Henry amassed 188 yards total (97 passing, 91 running).
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 October 2009 )
|
|
|
|
