Marion Local earns big win over Minster
MARIA STEIN — Friday night saw a second quarter offensive explosion by Minster and Marion Local both, but the Flyers surged out ahead, earning the 56-14 win in Midwest Athletic Conference action.
Minster’s opening drive stalled after James Niemeyer’s pass was intercepted by Jake Topp at the Minster 33-yard line.
The Flyers took over and on 2nd and 10, Peyton Otte Found Brandy Ronnebaum for 19 yards.
On 3rd and 9 at the Minster 13yard line, Kyle Otte ran the ball in for the first score of the night.
Another three and out for the Wildcats led to more points for the Flyers as Kyle Otte rushed in for his second score of the night from one yard out to make it 14-0.
A 36-yard rushing touchdown by Peyton Otte kicked off the scoring in the second quarter for the Flyers.
Minster ran one play on its following drive before fumbling and turning the ball back over to Marion Local.
Dylan Fleck for the Flyers ran one in from 11 yards out. A made PAT made it a 28-0 game with 7:04 left in the half.
A spark for the Wildcats came on their next drive.
Starting from their own 38-yard line, Niemeyer connected with Jack Kohne for a 62-yard touchdown to give Minster some life. A successful two-point conversion made it 28-8.
The Flyers proceeded to put together a 10-play drive, converting two fourth downs.
The biggest fourth down conversion came on the Flyers final play with Peyton Otte finding Aiden Eifert on a short route to the left side. Eifert juggled the ball initially before getting hold of it and shed a Minster defender, finding his way to paydirt to give Marion Local the 35-8 lead.
The Wildcats struck right back,
as Niemeyer again connected with Kohne, this time for 69 yards and a score. Minster couldn’t convert the two-point try, making it a 35-14 game.
“Jack’s fast,” said Minster coach Seth Whiting. “The way they [Marion Local] were rotating in coverage, we saw some things where he could get through and get to the post.”
The Flyers tacked one more score on before halftime, running one play on their next drive, with Drew Lause running 48 yards for the touchdown.
The Flyers kept things rolling in the third quarter with — after a three and out by Minster — Kyle Otte scoring his third touchdown of the game on a 61-yard punt return.
Marion Local scored once more before the quarter ended, this time on a 59-yard touchdown run by Peyton Moeller.
“We got a lot of guys that touched the ball tonight,” said Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin. “We let our freshman kicker kick quite a bit and he’s got a bright future. It’s good to have games like this for your program.”
Minster’s depth was lacking on Friday, with Whiting noting that many players are out with injuries right now.
“Marion Local’s obviously very, very solid and we knew we had our hands full tonight. We had 13 kids not playing,” he said. “Of our kids coming out of camp, the 22 offensive and defensive starters we expected to have, I think we have six of those still playing right now.”
Whiting gave credit to the freshman Niemeyer for battling all night. He finished the game going 10-for-26 for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
“He played great and the line did a good job of protecting him for the night,” said Whiting.
Marion Local won the battle on the ground, rushing for 327 yards as a team to Minster’s 48 yards.
Moeller led all rushers with 92 yards for the Flyers on Friday.
Injuries aside, Whiting is proud of the way his team battled and knows that things will get turned around.
“We just ask the kids to come and play as hard as they could tonight,” he said. “We know we’re a little behind the 8-ball with things, but our kids show up. The fight every day. They’re working their tails off and good things will happen for them because they’ll keep grinding. Some of our injured guys will start coming back here in the next few weeks and we’ll get rolling again.”
Minster returns home next week with a game against Parkway and Marion Local will be on the road at Delphos St. John’s.