Local Sports
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Gophers trip MohawksSt. Wendelin and Ridgemont, both 0-4, met Friday night at Ridgemont and it was the Golden Gophers who broke into the win column with a 19-6 Northwest Central Conference victory.
St. Wendelin coach Bill Hrabak expressed dissatisfaction with his team's effort against a team he felt the Mohawks could have beaten.
"I'm not happy with any aspect (of the game)," Hrabak said. "We were similar in size to them, but they dominated us. They overpowered us at the line of scrimmage. We gave up almost 300 yards rushing to a team which had only scored a couple of touchdowns all year. They just wanted it more than we did tonight."
Hrabak said the Mohawks failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented them.
"(Ridgemont) helped us out a little bit by coming out in the spread," Hrabak said. "They thought they could move against us from the spread. But in the second quarter they went back to a power running game.
"They crowded the line of scrimmage (defensively) which should give us (passing) opportunities. We did get some big plays, but not enough of them."
Ridgemont (1-4 overall, 1-1 NWCC) put up the only points of the first half, capping a 69-yard drive with a 2-yard run by quarterback Shawn Smith with 2:08 remaining in the second quarter.
The Golden Gophers opened the second half with a 13-play, 52-yard drive that was culminated by a 1-yard touchdown run by Smith. Reese Overly's extra point kick was good and Ridgemont led 13-0.
The Mohawks (0-5, 0-3) answered immediately as Chase Beam fired a strike to Austin Reinhart that Reinhart caught in stride for a 67-yard touchdown. Clare Berry's extra-point kick was wide and the Mohawks trailed 13-6.
Ridgemont built its lead back to 13 on the ensuing possession when Derrick Bailey finished off an eight-play , 71-yard drive with a 31-yard run to paydirt. The Mohawks blocked the extra-point attempt to set the score at 19-6.
St. Wendelin was unable to move the ball and Ridgemont took a St. Wendelin punt and moved steadily downfield. But the drive was cut short when George Iannantuono intercepted Smith at the Mohawks' 4 yard line.
The Mohawks couldn't take advantage of Iannantuono's pick and the Golden Gophers returned Elli Hipsher's punt to the Mohawks' 15 yard line.
St. Wendelin's defense stiffened, however, and Ridgemont surrendered the ball on downs after gaining only three yards on four plays.
Pass plays to Brent Williams and Iannantuono moved the Mohawks to their own 48-yard line before a fumbled snap gave the Golden Gophers possession, and the Golden Gophers were able to run out the clock for the win.
"It's a matter of pride now," Hrabak said. "We have to buckle down and try to get better and maybe we can upset somebody down the road."
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Ph: (419) 435-6641 • Fax: (419) 435-9073
113 E. Center St. • P.O. Box 947
Fostoria, OH 44830
The Findlay Publishing Company
P.O. Box 609
Findlay, OH 45839-0609
Phone: (419) 422-5151
www.findlaypublishing.com
Please read our privacy guidelines
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