WAPAKONETA -- A St. Marys offense that was very impressive a week ago was anything but Friday at Wapakoneta's Harmon Field. However, the Roughrider defense came up with two second half interceptions, and made some big stops to on the way to a 14-7 victory over the Redskins to remain unbeaten on the year at 3-0 in the Western Buckeye League and 4-0 overall.
The win sets up a big early-season showdown with Ottawa-Glandorf next Friday at Ottawa. The Titans also improved to 4-0 with a 35-13 rout of Elida, and will face the Riders as the only other team in the WBL without a loss.
The Roughriders rushed for almost 500 yards last week against Defiance, but struggled to get the ground game on track against a Wapak defense that appeared to be in the St. Marys huddle all night. The Riders started all five possessions of the second half within 53 yards of the Wapakoneta end zone, but failed to score.
St. Marys rushed for 209 yards on 58 carries, and totaled just 93 yards of total offense in the second half. The Riders continue to survive without any semblance of a passing attack. Quarterback Brett Baker attempted just two passes, both of which were incomplete (although a first-half PAT pass was good for two points).
But 14 first half points were enough as the St. Marys defense held the Redskins to 189 yards of total offense, 55 of which came on a second half scoring run by Dan Ruck.
The Roughriders scored first with a short drive set up by a 29-yard punt return from Eddie Minnich.
St. Marys ground out 44 yards on 12 runs to light the scoreboard for the first time. Bo Frye had the honors as he covered the final yard up the middle for the touchdown with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
The Riders's early-season extra-point woes continued as Doug Burke's boot never made it to the crossbar.
The Redskins responded with their only real scoring threat of the first half. Ruck fielded a short kick-off and returned it 20 yards to his own 43.
A third-down pass interference penalty on St. Marys kept the drive alive, and a fourth-down run by Andy Maitlen gave the 'Skins a first down at the St. Marys 25. However, the Rider defensive line rose to the challenge and forced Wapak to turn the ball over on downs, when Brandon Steinke was pulled down for a five-yard loss on another fourth down run.
After an exchange of possessions, the Riders had another short field to work with when Randy Schmerge's punt was partially blocked and returned to the Wapak 23 yard line by Tim Rammel.
Three plays later Scott Laman scored on St. Marys' longest play from scrimmage of the night, when he took a counter 19 yards through a big hole into the end zone.
The two-point conversion was challenging after a holding penalty moved the ball back to the 13. But Baker was able to roll to his right and throw back to Koby Frye, who ran over a Wapak defender at the goal line for two points with 3:26 left in the half.
Wapak suffered from poor field position all night, but was able to bust a long run early in the third quarter. Dan Ruck got an opening on a misdirection play and outraced the St. Marys secondary 55 yards to pay dirt. Freshman Dan Dripps booted the extra point, for what proved to be the game's last point with 8:07 left in the third quarter.
Koby Frye returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Wapak 44, and after a personal foul and a face mask penalty, the Riders appeared poised to answer the Redskin score. However, Koby fumbled and Wapak recovered it at the Wapak 14 yard line, the only St. Marys turnover of the game.
Wapak converted a few key third downs on their next possession, but ended up turning the ball over on downs at the St. Marys 36. The Riders were unable to move the ball, but by the time they punted, the game was into the fourth quarter.
The Redskins' second play from scrimmage was an interception, as Josh Brown was picked off by Mitch Dunlap at the Wapak 27.
But on four running plays the Riders failed to pick up 10 yards and gave the ball right back to Wapak on downs.
The two teams once again traded possessions, and with time running out at 22 seconds, Eddie Minnich picked up his third interception of the year to seal the win.
The win marks the 60th victory in the St. Marys coaching tenure of Doug Frye, coming in his 84th game as Roughrider head football coach. For comparison, Skip Baughman's 60th win was a 50-7 victory over Greenville in 1970, Skip's 119th game as Rider head coach.
Wapakoneta falls to 1-3 overall and 0-3 with the loss. The Redskins travel to Van Wert to take on the Cougars next Friday.
