SKIP BAUGHMAN STADIUM -- It was a comedy of errors that produced very few smiling faces Friday night at Skip Baughman Stadium.
St. Marys reached double digits in penalties before halftime, and then things got really ugly, as the Defiance Bulldogs rolled to a 24-7 Western Buckeye League victory.
The Roughriders fall to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the WBL, while Defiance improved to identical marks of 2-1 and 2-2.
"Physically, Defiance stuck it at us all night," Rider Head Coach Doug Frye said. "We were outplayed on the field and outcoached on the sidelines."
Special teams were a problem all night for the Riders, including the opening kickoff, which the Bulldogs’ Jordan Gonzales returned through a big seam all the way to the St. Marys 37. Seven plays later, Ryan George rolled into the end zone from three yards out. Tim Rosenthal’s PAT gave the Dogs a 7-0 lead with 9:49 left in the first quarter.
The snap count seemed to be a mystery for the St. Marys offense, especially in the first half, as seven of the Riders’ first half penalties were for illegal procedure. The penalties prevented the offense from getting into any kind of rhythm and the defense had its back to the wall for most of the first half thanks to some poor punting.
"Tonight was our worst effort since 1999," Frye said.
After a much-needed break for intermission, it appeared the Riders were on track. St. Marys tooking the second half kick and went 58 yard in 9 plays to tie the score with 8:24 left in the third quarter. Koby Frye did most of the damage on the drive with a 35-yard gain and then scored the touchdown from four yards out. Kenny Bruce tacked on the PAT.
But Defiance would answer with a big play. Aaron Demecs raced around the right end and went 43 yards as the Bulldogs regained the lead 14-7 with 2:13 left in the third quarter.
Disaster struck on the Riders’ next possession as quarterback Derek Dunlap was hit behind the line and fumbled. Defiance recovered at the St. Marys 13. From there it took the Dogs just one play, as George covered the 13 yards on play. Rosenthal’s third PAT made the score 21-0 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.
A once promising St. Marys passing game was pretty much AWOL in the first half, and was well-defended by Defiance in the second half when the Riders were in obvious passing situations. Dunlap and Frye combined to complete just three of 11 passes for 28 yards. The Riders were able to grind out 185 yards on the ground, paced by Frye with 124 yards on 22 carries.
Rosenthal added a 27-yard field goal 4:46 left in the game that sent most of the Rider fans to the parking lots early.
"You need to play with heart on your home field," Frye said in closing. "This game was disappointing for everyone involved."
The Riders will try and get back on the winning track next week as they travel to Wapakoneta. The Redskins are coming off a 21-0 loss to Ottawa-Glandorf Friday.
