THE SKIP -- Van Wert put the skids on a nine-game losing streak to St. Marys with an historic butt-whipping Friday night at Skip Baughman Stadium. The 43-7 win matched the vistor’s biggest win ever over St. Marys dating back to a 49-13 win in 1940.
The Riders drop to 5-3 overall and into a second place log jam in the Western Buckeye League at 4-2. Van Wert improved to 5-3, 4-2 as well, joining Shawnee and Ottawa-Glandorf with two losses. With a victory over Defance Friday, Kenton clinched at least a share of the WBL title with two weeks left in the season.
Van Wert rolled up 438 yards of offense as junior running back Conner Massillo rushed for 143 yards and junior quarterback Corey Clifton rushed for 105 yards and threw for 173.
The Roughrider offense had some trouble getting out of the gate. The Riders ran 13 plays from scrimmage in the opening 12 minutes and gained 17 yards, which resulted in three first quarter punts.
Van Wert had a little more success moving the ball, however a fumble in St. Marys territory kept the Cougars off the scoreboard in the early going.
Speedy Van Wert junior Conner Massillo broke the scoreless deadlock with a big run on the third play of the second quarter. Massillo broke multiple tackles at the point of attack, and then raced 42 yards for the touchdown. Gyer Blackmore tacked on the PAT kick for a 7-0 lead.
Van Wert's next possession resulted in another big play touchdown. Junior quarterback Corey Clifton connected with Nathan Williams for a 51-yard scoring pass with 5:56 left in the half. The Cougars faked the PAT kick with Willams catching the two-point conversion for a 15-0 lead.
The Roughriders were able to pick up a first down on their next possession, as quarterback Derek Roop hooked up with Matt Watkins for a 22-yard reception on first down. But the drive stalled, forcing another punt.
Van Wert picked up three first downs on the first three plays of the its next possession. After a crucial holding penalty the Cougar drive appeared to be doomed deep in St. Marys territory, but on second-and-26, Van Wert gained 25 yards on a big pass play.
Two plays later Clifton strolled into the endzone untouched from five yards out. The PAT kick by Blackmore made the score 22-0 with 56 seconds left until intermission.
Van Wert scored on its second possession of the second half and the rout was on. Clifton and Williams hooked up for their second touchdown, this time from 31 yards out for a 28-0 lead with 8:44 left in the third quarter. Three minutes later Clifton scored his second touchdown running, stretching the lead to 35-0.
St. Marys strung together two first downs in one drive for the first time in the game, but the drive ended on Roop's second interception of the game.
The Cougars capped their scoring on a fourth-and-goal from the St. Marys 25-yard line. After the Riders refused a penalty that would have backed Van Wert up to the Rider 40, Massillo then ran a draw play and found the end zone from 25 yards out. The PAT snap was fumbled, so Clifton picked it up and tossed it to Donny Sites for the two-point conversion.
St. Marys got on the scoreboard with 3:41 left in the game, thanks to a 47-yard run by Brad Sawmiller. Alan Broyles added the PAT to cap the scoring for the night.
The Rider offense struggled all night with seven first downs, equalling the seven punts they had. The passing game struggled as Roop complete one of 10 passes for 22 yards and two interceptions.
The Riders host Shawnee next Friday at Skip Baughman Stadium. The Indians lost their first three games of the season, but have since won five in a row.
The 2009 St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame inductees were presented to the home crowd in a pregame ceremony. Commemorative plaques were presented to the inductees; more detailed plaques will be placed in the Memorial High School main hallway near the Performing Arts Center.
The 2009 inductee for Academic or Professional Achievement is Dr. Raymond J. Dingledine, Jr., MHS 1967. Presenting the plaque to his father Ray Dingledine, Sr. was the 2008 inductee, Floyd Keith.
The 2009 inductee for Athletic Achievement is the late Mr. Dean Cook, MHS 1951. Presenting the plaque to his wife was the 2008 inductee, Chuck Huwer.
The 2009 inductee for Service to the St. Marys City Schools is the late Mr. Frank Dennings, MHS 1937. Presenting the plaque to his wife Mrs. Nancy Dennings was the 2008 inductee, Ronda Shelby.
Click HERE for more information on the 2009 MHS Alumni Hall of Fame inductees.