VAN WERT, OHIO -- The St. Marys Memorial High School football program ventured into uncharted territory Friday night with its seventh Western Buckeye League loss of the season, falling 31-7 Friday at Van Wert.
The Roughriders fall to 1-7 overall and 0-7 in the WBL, losing seven league games in a season for the first time in school history. The Cougars improved to 3-4 in the WBL and 4-4 overall.
It was another offensive struggle for the Riders who were shutout the week before at home against Ottawa-Glandorf, and again failed to score an offensive touchdown, as the only score came on an 85-yard kickoff return.
The Riders held the ball for just over six minutes on their first possession, but then started backing up before handing the ball over on downs.
The Cougar offense only needed 34 seconds and three plays to get on the scoreboard. Senior quarterback Corey Clifton rambled 48 yards to the St. Marys 7 on the second play of the drive. From there, sophomore running back Lucas Sullivan did the rest, covering the final seven yards to put the home team up 6-0.
Following a procedure penalty, the PAT kick by Joey Hurless sailed wide right with 5:03 left in the first quarter.
St. Marys retaliated quickly, in the form of an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Senior Kyle Puschel broke a few tackles, and then outraced the Cougars to the endzone. Jarett Taylor connected on the PAT kick to give the Riders a 7-6 lead with 4:50 left in the first quarter.
Van Wert’s was able to move the ball a little more deliberately on its second possession, marching 82 yards in 14 plays. But the Cougars came up one yard short on fourth, turning the ball over on downs at the St. Marys two yard line.
The Riders were able to pick up a first down, but then stalled, punting deep in their own territory.
Van Wert returned the punt to the Rider 35 and needed just two plays to take the lead. Clifton found a wide open Christean Catchings from 32 yards out for the go-ahead score. The two-point conversion was good on a pass from Clifton to Austin Fleming, giving the Cougars a 14-7 lead with 6:11 left in the half.
Both teams had possessions before the half, but neither threatened.
A nice return of the second half kickoff gave the Cougars possession in St. Marys territory to start the second half. Van Wert got into the Red Zone where Clifton completed what appearded to be a touchdown pass to Austin Fleming. However, some yellow laundry on the field called the play back.
The Cougars continued to back up and ended up punting. The Riders went three-and-out, and Van Wert was back in business. Clifton and Fleming connected on this possession from 36 yards for a touchdown pass that was not marred by a penalty.
Hurless added the PAT for a 21-7 Van Wert lead at the 6:27 mark of the third quarter.
The Riders failed to move the ball on their next possession, giving the ball back to Van Wert. The Cougars got no closer than the St. Marys nine yard line as the drive ended with a 29-yard field goal by Hurless for a 24-7 lead with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
Hurless attempted a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter but missed it wide left.
The Riders, in desperation made, turned the ball over on downs in their own territory, setting up another Van Wert score. Clifton found fellow senior Fleming for his second touchdown catch of the game -- this time from 18 yards out. Hurless added the boot for a 31-7 lead with 6:18 left in the game.
The final possessions were populated by a sprinkling of junior varsity players as neither team mounted a scoring threat in the waning moments.
The Cougars finished with 369 yards of total offense, 314 of which was contributed by Clifton who passed for 211 yards and ran for 103.
Puschel was the lone bright spot for the Rider offense as he rushed 25 times for 139 yards. The rest of the offense was a net 14 yards as St. Marys had 153 yards of total offense. The forward pass reamins a total mystery to St. Marys. The Riders attempted just three passes from three different players completing zero unless you count the one that a Van Wert defender caught for an interception.
The Riders are back on the road next Friday and will be looking to end their seven-game losing streak at Shawnee. The Indians were blanked by Wapakoneta 17-0 Friday.
Scoring summary:
05:03 Q1 VW Lucas Sullivan 7-yard run, Joey Hurless PAT kick no good, VW-6 SM-0.
04:50 Q1 SM Kyle Puschel 85-yard kickoff return, Jarett Taylor PAT kick good, VW-6 SM-7.
06:11 Q2 VW Christean Catchings 35-yard pass from Corey Clifton, Clifton PAT pass to Austin Fleming, VW-14 SM-7.
06:27 Q3 VW Austin Fleming 36-yard pass from Corey Clifton, Joey Hurless PAT kick good, VW-21 SM-7.
00:07 Q3 VW Joey Hurless 29-yard field goal good, VW-24 SM-7.
09:36 Q4 VW Joey Hurless 48-yard field goal attempt wide right, VW-24 SM-7.
06:18 Q4 VW Austin Fleming 18-yard pass from Corey Clifton, Joey Hurless PAT kick good, VW-31 SM-7.
