Roughriders seek berth in regional final
It’s time to face the big bad — also known as Badin.
St. Marys (10-2) has advanced to the Region 12 semifinals of the Division III football tournament, and now face the #1 seeded Rams (11-0) in a game at Trotwood-Madison.
It will be the second straight meeting between the two conferences on both sides. Last Friday, St. Marys (Western Buckeye League) defeated Chaminade-Julienne (Greater Catholic League) 24-21. Meanwhile, Badin, also of the GCL, shut out #9 seed Shawnee 17-0.
In the first round, Badin defeated Butler 370, and St. Marys rolled past Franklin 49-13.
During the regular season, Badin had wins over Mt. Healthy (27-7), Bellbrook (17-7), Northwest (35-0), Roger Bacon (30-17), Ross (2110), Carroll (62-0), Alter (31-0), C-J (45-28) and McNicholas (48-21). One game with Fenwick was canceled.
WHEN BADIN HAS THE BALL
Senior quarterback Layne Vidourerk (6foot-1, 165 pounds) has thrown for 1,040 yards, completing 87 of 135 attempts (64 percent), with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
He is also the team’s second leading rusher, with 91 carries for 755 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. He has scored 14 touchdowns with his feet.
The top rusher is senior running back Jack Walsh (5-8, 175), who has racked up 1,183 yards on 168 carries. He averages seven yards per rush, and has also reached the end zone 14 times.
The other main run threat is junior Carter Russo (5-8, 170) with 60 carries for 388 yards.
When Vidourek throws the ball, the main target has been junior Braaedyn Moore (6-1, 180). Moore has 42 receptions for 451 yards, with an average of 10.7 yards per catch. Eric Rawlings, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, has 15 catches for 171 yards, and Cooper Fiehrer (60, 170), another senior, has pulled in 13 balls for 304 yards.
“They are very athletic,” said St. Marys coach Bo Frye. “They have a big, tall quarterback, and are physical up front.”
He said the goal for the Roughriders defense will be to find ways to create pressure. “We have to find ways to get to him, and pursue to the ball,” Frye said.
Leaders on the defensive line for St. Marys are junior Braxton King (85 tackles), senior Dylan Giesige (80), senior Stash Patterson (68), and sophomore Logan Compton (53). Giesige has 10 sacks, King has seven, and Patterson, Carter Sharpe, and Compton all have five each.
Senior Drew Dammeyer (86 tackles, six sacks) and junior Jace Schaefer (63 tackles, 1 sack) led the linebackers. Top tacklers in the backfield are junior Brayden Sullivan (81), senior Ty Kiehl (59), and junior Keegan Sharpe (54). Brandon Bowers has four interceptions and Sharpe has three. ———
WHEN ST. MARYS HAS THE BALL
Defensively, the Rams use a 6-2 formation, with good size on the line, said Frye.
He noted that “we’re not going to change who we are” with the emphasis remaining on running the ball.
Last week against Chaminade-Julienne, the Roughriders’ four scoring drives were all lengthy ones.
Each lasted at least 10 plays. The three touchdowns came on drives of 14 plays (77 yards), 15 plays (82 yards) and 15 plays (80 yards). The combined time of possession was over 22 minutes. Including the fieldgoal drive, it was 27 1/2 minutes of the game’s 48.
“When you’re able to put together long drives, it helps the entire team,” said Frye. “These are quality, caring kids, who put the team on their back.”
Senior Ross Henschen leads the committee with 161 carries for 829 yards (5.1 average). Junior Aiden Hinkle (85-466, 7 TD) and senior Braeden Hemmelgarn (66-568, 9 TD) have done their part, along with freshman Colton Mabry (54-383, 3 TD).
The Roughriders have made limited use of the passing game. Reineke has completed 25 of 54 attempts for 441 yards, with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
Last week against Chaminade-Julienne, the Riders did not attempt a single throw.
Hemmelgarn has the most receptions with eight, for a total of 137 yards.
Senior linebacker Eli Emmons (6-0, 210) has 94 total tackles for Badin, with senior inside linebacker T.J. Hayes (5-11, 210) and junior linebacker Kaden Starks (6-0, 190) each with 74.
Sophomore Carson Cheek (5-10, 150) has made six of the team’s 15 interceptions. ————
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bowers handles the punting and kicking duties for the Roughriders. He has punted 26 times, with an average of 37.6 yards per punt. His kickoffs routinely reach the end zone, with an average of 55 yards.
He has made 3-of-7 field goal attempts, including a 41-yard kick last Friday that set a school record. He has hit 42 of 45 PATs.
Sullivan and Hemmelgarn are the main returners, with Hemmelgarn having run back one punt for a touchdown.
Vidourek is the punter for Badin, with an average of 35 yards on his 27 kicks.
Senior Jackson Niesen handles the field goals (5 of 7) and extra points (39 of 41).
The leader on kickoff returns is Moore, with an average of 22 yards. On punts, it is Rawlings, who averages 13.4 yards. ———
Frye noted that “everybody on the team has their role” whether on the field or providing encouragement from the sideline. “They have put a lot of time into this,” noting that workouts began in early June.
“This is a big deal, and great experience for everybody involved.”
Friday’s winner will meet the winner of the other semifinal between Tippecanoe and Bellbrook, who will play at Sidney. The regional final will be Nov. 19 at a site to be determined.
St. Marys is one of three WBL teams still going in the postseason.
In Division IV, Van Wert (11-1) faces Clyde (10-2) in a Region 14 semifinal.
Ottawa-Glandorf (93) takes on Otsego (110) in Region 18 of the Division V bracket.