FOOTBALL: Redskins pick up WBL win at Kenton

Wapakoneta coach Travis Moyer would speak following the game about the Wildcat’s fast start, “we want to come out of the locker room with a sense of urgency and I thought they got us on our heels real quick, credit them, said Moyer. He would add,  “We know we’re going to get every team’s best shot and we need to be ready to step on the field and compete for 48 minutes, again credit to them for making plays and we have to do a better job of being ready.”

The bright spots for the Wildcats would be few a far between following the opening possession. Wapakoneta would dominate the remainder of the game scoring 39 straight points. 

Wapakoneta scored on their first drive thanks to Jace Knous’ six carries and 54 yards on the ground before capping off the drive with a five-yard run for a Redskin touchdown. 

Wapakoneta would keep within their game plan and kick the extra point to cut the Wildcat lead to one midway through the first quarter. 

Wapakoneta’s next possession would end in a 36-yard field goal from Kyle Beach near the end of the first quarter. 

Wapakoneta would surge at the end of the first after following a Wildcat punt. Wapakoneta would score on another Knous touchdown topping off a 17-play 94-yard drive leaving just 46 seconds left in half. 

The Redskins would not be done scoring in half as the Wildcats would muff the following kickoff allowing the Redskins to recover the ball at the Kenton three. Knous would again score on a run for his third of the game and his ninth of the year.

The Redskins would go for two and convert giving them a comfortable 25-8 lead to end the opening half. 

Wapakoneta’s dominance would continue into the second half with Kenton only having three possessions, the first ended on a failed fourth down conversion. The second possession in the final half ended with Kaden Ware picking off Kenton’s Korbin Johnston. 

The final Wildcat possession would end on a punt. 

Wapakoneta’s offense would also remain in gear as the Redskins managed to score two more times. 

Connor Meckstroth would cap the opening 61-yard six-play drive on a 15-yard dive to give the Redskins a 32-8 lead. 

Wapakoneta’s next possession would have similar results as Jeffrey Kohler got a chance to punch in the rock from 11 yards out after a seven-play drive that started on the Wildcat 40. 

Moyer would discuss some other players being able to get the ball later in the game and their ability to continue moving the ball, “the harder those backs run the harder we block and vice versa, I really credit those guys that got in there and got their opportunity to prove themselves, we’re always evaluating and looking for that guy that can help our football program.” 

Wapakoneta’s biggest struggle on offense came after the Ware interception. The Redskins were not able to take advantage of starting at Kenton’s 48 as the Redskins turned the ball over on downs. 

The final Redskin possession reached the Kenton two-yard line before the Redskins would simply take a knee to end the game. 

Despite it being a road game the Redskins’ fans were out in bunches as the Wapakoneta student section made their presence known. The Redskin players seemed unfazed for the most part by the homecoming crowd. 

Moyer would credit his team’s road win but also mention the difficulties of road wins, “it’s tough man, even at times tonight it felt tough, credit to our kids for continuing to grind and work.” Moyer would add “it’s never easy to in WBL games on the road.” 

With the win, the Redskins are now 5-0 in WBL games and 5-1 overall. 

The Redskins will be back on the road in week seven as they travel to Elida. The Bulldogs are now 3-2 in WBL play after a 31-14 loss to Defiance Friday.