SKIP BAUGHMAN STADIUM -- Running at will, St. Marys scored on its first seven possessions en route to a 47-14 Homecoming victory over Van Wert Friday night.
Senior running back Koby Frye became the all-time MHS rushing leader with an exclamation point, as he rushed for 198 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Frye surpassed Mike Hirschfeld in career rushing and now has 3,814 yards. He broke the record with a 25-yard touchdown run with 9:11 left in the second quarter.
Fellow running back Kenny Bruce also had a banner night with 190 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Bruce carried the ball just nine times, averaging 21.1 yards a tote.
With the win, the Riders improve to 5-1 in the Western Buckeye League and 5-2 overall, setting up a showdown next week at Skip Baughman Stadium against Shawnee. The Indians kept pace in the WBL at 5-1 with a 28-0 win over Wapakoneta. Brandon Stephenson rushed for 301 yards and scored all four Shawnee touchdowns. Kenton and O-G also picked up wins Friday to improve to 5-1 in the league.
"Offensively, we played well," St. Marys coach Doug Frye said. "We still have work to do with defense and special teams. Next week the challenge gets bigger with Shawnee."
It was a big-play attack for the Riders as Bruce got things started with a 54-yard scoring romp on the Rider’s first possession. He was, however, a little winded for the PAT, which was no good.
The Cougars answered on their first possession, as Thaison Leaser capped an eight-play 68-yard drive with a one-yard run. Van Wert also failed on its PAT and the score was tied with 7:48 left in the first quarter.
St. Marys answered with its longest scoring drive of the night, a 12-play marathon, capped by a two-yard run by Frye. Bruce nailed the PAT for a 13-6 lead with 4:04 left in the first quarter.
Less than four minutes later Frye broke free for a 63-yard scoring romp and the rout was on.
The Riders scored three more times in the second quarter and on their first possession of the second half before both coaches emptied their benches for the final quarter.
St. Marys finished with 524 yards of total offense, including 489 on the ground. The only blemish on the stat sheet for the Riders was in the penalty department where they were flagged eight times for 78 yards, including four personal foul flags.
Derek Dunlap completed two of three passes for 35 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Barhorst.
Eleven different Riders ran the ball as many of the St. Marys JVs saw action under the lights. Every Roughrider who dressed for the game played.
"Our goal is to go 1-0 each week," coach Frye said after the game. "We're taking them one game at a time, and we want to finish on an upswing."
In the Homecoming pregame ceremony, Natalie Ahlers, daughter of Jeff and Julie Ahlers, was crowned 2007 MHS Homecoming Queen. Ahlers was escorted by Seth Hertenstein, representing DECA.
Ahlers' court included Queen candidates Andrea Angstmann, daughter of Ralph and Mary Lou Angstmann, and Lea Mackenbach, daughter of Steve and Mary Jane Mackenbach, escorted by Art Club representative Justin Moran.
Amanda Newlove, daughter of Dane and Karen Newlove, is Natalie's Junior Attendant. Amanda was escorted by Blaise Katter from the National Honor Society. Sophomore Attendant was Karen Schaaf, daughter of Larry Schaaf and Micheal Leffel. Karen's escort was Dan Imwalle, representing FFA. The 2007 Freshman Attendant is Lindsey Karner, daughter of James and Lori Karner. Derek Backs, representing the Senior Class, escorted Lindsey.
The 2007 State Runners-up MHS Softball team was honored at halftime. The Lady Riders were undefeated in the WBL and collected Regional and District trophies on the way to State, where they fell 1-0 in the championship game to Greenville. The team finished the 2007 season with a record of 23 wins and 2 losses.
In attendance at the game were members of the MHS Class of 1952, celebrating their 55th Class Reunion this weekend.
