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FORT SHAWNEE, OHIO -- Two long touchdown runs by Justin Nagel, and some timely defense lifted the Roughriders to a 14-7 victory over Shawnee Friday.
Nagel scored on romps of 40 and 46 yards, while the defense came up with several crucial fourth down stops to lift St. Marys to its second consecutive Western Buckeye League win on the road.
St. Marys inched over .500 on the season at 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the WBL. Shawnee fell to 2-3 and 1-3.
The Riders scored late in the third quarter and appeared to have the game well in hand when the defense stopped Shawnee on a fourth down play inside the St. Marys 10 yard line with less than 10 minutes left to play.
However, on the very next play quarterback Corey Vossler and Nagel could not connect on a handoff. Shawnee fell on the loose ball at the Rider four yard line.
Two plays later Indian quarterback Matt Hershey scored on a one-yard sneak to cut the Rider's lead in half with 7:40 left to play.
Things got even more interesting after a three-and-out by the Rider offense. Heath Hullinger returned the punt to his own 36.
After a first down, Hershey connected with Skyler Irons for a 17-yard pass to the St. Marys 38. But from there, the Rider "D" stiffened again and took over on downs as Hershey threw two incompletions after being sacked.
Taking over with 3:13 to play, St. Marys was able to grind out a few first downs and put the game on ice.
Nagel, who finished with a season-high 194 yards on 27 carries, got things started scoring on a 40-yard sweep play with 5:25 left in the half. Nick Pfeffenberger added the first of his two PAT's for a 7-0 lead.
Shawnee opened the second half by driving inside the St. Marys 30, but again the bend-but-don't-break defense held up.
Keeping the ball on the ground the Riders ground out a few first downs before Nagel broke into the clear on the counter play and raced 46 yards for the 14-0 lead with 4:27 left in the third quarter.
St. Marys finished with 285 yards of offense, all of which came on the ground. The forward pass continues to be a mystery for the Riders who failed to complete a pass on two attempts.
Shawnee rolled up 242 total yards in the losing effort -- 140 rushing and 102 passing.
The Riders lost the services of junior fullback Shawn Craft who watched the game from sidelines with a cast on his foot. A fourth sophomore was inserted into the offensive backfield as converted guard Jared Ackley started at fullback. Ackley joins classmates Vossler, Nagel and Nick Yahl in the backfield with senior Brandt Huttis.
St. Marys returns home next week to face the pass-happy Kenton Wildcats. Kenton, the defending Division IV State Champions, struggled early this season, but have come on strong, including a 49-27 thumping of previously unbeaten Wapakoneta Friday. The Wildcats will roll into Skip Baughman Stadium with a 3-2 overall mark and 3-1 in the WBL.
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