THE SKIP -- It wasn’t exactly three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust, but it got the job done.
St. Marys junior Kyle Puschel scored on runs of 76, 91 and 61, accounting for scoring drives of one, two and two plays as the Roughriders rolled to a 24-7 Western Buckeye League victory over Bath Friday night at Skip Baughman Stadium.
The Riders improved to 2-0 in league play and 2-1 overall, while the Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 1-1 and 2-1.
The St. Marys defense stepped up with three interceptions and help force a pair of Bath safetys as Bath Quaterback Cameron Garver had two snaps sail over his head... and out of the back of the Bath end zone.
Puschel finished the game with 271 yards rushing on 17 carries -- the fourth best single-game rushing effort in school history.
Two of Puschel’s big runs came in the first half as the Roughriders were able to take control of the game early.
After forcing a Bath punt on the game's first possession, the Riders struck paydirt on their very first play from scrimmage. Puschel found a seam and raced 76 yards for the score. The PAT kick from Dan Roberts sailed wide with 9:19 left in the first quarter.
After a big kick-off return into St. Marys territory, Bath drove down to the Roughrider four yard line before losing the pigskin on downs.
The Riders were unable to move the ball, and Devon Fitzgerald's punt was partially blocked, giving the Wildcats excellent field position at the St. Marys 28. But Bath's good fortune was short-lived. Three plays later, Cody Martin intercepted a pass by Wildcat QB Cameron Garver at the St. Marys eight yard line.
After a one yard run by Justin Thomas, Puschel again broke containment at the line on scrimmage and blitzed 91 yard for his second touchdown of the game. This time Roberts nailed to PAT for a 13-0 Rider lead with 2:25 left in the first quarter.
Two of Bath next three possessions ended in interceptions, but the Riders were unable to capitalize.
It was the St. Marys defense that contributed to the only score of the second quarter, as a Cameron was backed up to his own 12 yard line. The shotgun snap sailed over his head and to prevent a possible St. Marys touchdown, he kicked the ball out of the back of the endzone.
The Riders were unable to score after the free kick, and ended up with a 15-0 lead at intermission.
After trading punts to start the second half, it was Puschel again on the second play of the drive. This time he scampered 61 yards with 7:56 left in the third quarter. Dan Roberts added his second PAT boot for a 22-0 lead.
On its next possession Bath again drove inside the St. Marys 10, and again turned the ball over on downs, as a fourth-down pass by Garver was tipped away at the goal line.
The Wildcats would finally get on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Aaron Smith rambled 35 yards to set up a one-yard scroring plunge by Garver with 9:42 left in the game. Davy Briggs added the extra point, cutting the St. Marys' lead to 22-7.
The Riders responed with their longest sustained drive of the night, marching 60 yards in 12 plays before a Bradly Sawmiller fumble was recovered by Bath at the six yard line.
However, four plays later another snap went over Garver's head, out of the end zone and into the crowd with 1:45 left in the game. Bath's second safety rounded out the scoring at 24-7.
Eight different Roughriders carried the ball for a total of 363 yards. Senior Fullback Justin Thomas left the game in the second quarter with an injury and did not return. Quarterback Derek Roop was 0-for-five passing with an interception.
Smith paced the Bath attack with 133 yards rushing on 23 carries. Garver connected on six of 15 pases for 79 yards, however, he netted out minus 40 yards rushing thanks to the bad snaps and a few sacks.
St. Marys will hit the road nest week for the "Battle of Lake St. Marys" as the Riders head to Celina to face the 0-3 Bulldogs. Celina blew a 20-0 lead at Wapak Friday and ended up losing 21-20.
