Redskins suffer another close loss
It’s becoming a theme — a disappointing one.
For the third time in four games, Wapakoneta suffered a narrow loss on the gridiron. On Friday, it came by a margin of just two points, 9-7, to Shawnee in a Western Buckeye League contest at Mercy Health / Wapak Ford Field at Harmon Stadium.
Shawnee scored the game’s first points with 9 1/2 minutes to go in the second quarter. The Redskins eventually responded with a touchdown of their own by Jace Mullen with just under three minutes to play.
The only points of the second half would prove to be a 30-yard field goal by Shawnee with 4:41 to play in the third quarter. Wapakoneta had stopped the Indians to force a punt, but the catch was fumbled with the Indians recovering and cashing in.
In the fourth quarter, Shawnee’s Luke Cowan killed two Redskins drives by making interceptions.
“That was the difference,” said Wapakoneta coach Travis Moyer afterward, referring to the turnovers. He said that the team has always taken pride in protecting the ball, “and we didn’t do a good job of that.”
Moyer added that “we’re not good enough to overcome mistakes right now.” He noted that three of the four games have come down to the wire “and we’ve just got to finish.”
For the Redskins, quarterback Trevor
Crow completed 5 of 14 passes for 55 yards on the night. Junior Jace Mullen was the workhorse on offense, with 19 carries for 126 yards. Kaden Siefring had 13 rushes for 38 yards. Siefring caught three of Crow’s passes for 27 yards. Jacob Schroeder had a 24 yard grab.
Cowan had a solid night all around for the Indians. Besides the two interceptions on defense, he carried eight times for seven yards, including a 2-yard burst for six points. He caught two passes for 21 yards, and was the return man on special teams.
Tommy Spyker had 14 carries for 47 yards on the ground. Quarterback Tyler Windau completed 7 of 12 passes for 55 yards. He was intercepted twice. Keaton Cooper caught three balls for 35 yards.
Defensively, Zach Rogers and Crow each made interceptions and Keith Houser had a sack in the second quarter. The defensive line also made a stop on fourth down and short late in the third.
Shawnee got the ball to open the contest and started at the 33. They converted their first third-down opportunity, but on the second, Windau’s deep throw was intercepted by Rogers at the Wapakoenta 15.
Mullen gained 12 yards on the Redskins’ first snap. Two runs gained little, and a third down pass to Noah Ambos got just three yards, and the
Redskins had to punt.
Each team’s next drive was short as well. Shawnee went three-and-out, and Wapakoneta moved to midfield before stalling there.
Starting from their own 28, Shawnee gained three yards on a pass and six on a run. Spyker then moved the chains with a 10-run on the final play of the first period.
Windau opened the second quarter by dropping back and throwing across the field. The ball was just over the reach of the Wapakoenta defender, as it was gathered in by Cooper, who rumbled 29 yards before being pulled down at the 27.
Two plays later, Windau threw to Cowan for a 15 yard gain to give Shawnee a first-and-goal at the 10. Spyker gained six, then Cowan went back-to-back. The second one put him over the line.
Shawnee lined up for the PAT, but a penalty on Wapakoneta moved them closer. They handed off to Cowan, but he was stopped, leaving it 6-0 with 9:33 to go in the half.
The teams exchanged punts, and Wapakoneta started at midfield after a short kick by Shawnee.
Two runs gained nine, then Mullen went to the left for 15 yards and a new set of downs at the 27.
Wapakoneta was then stopped twice for no gain. On third down, the Redskins ran a halfback option. as Siefring threw to Ambos in the end zone. The pass was broken up, but the Indians were flagged for interference, keeping the drive going.
After a 1-yard loss and a 4-yard gain. Wapakoneta called time to discuss its options. That turned out to be Mullen, who took it on a sweep to the right, covering the remaining 11 yards for the touchdown. Nikane Ambos came out and knocked the PAT through the uprights to give the ‘Skins a 7-6 advantage with 2:42 to play.
Shawnee’s next possession was brief, as Crow intercepted a throw by Windau on second down at the Redskins 35.
Mullen had a short gain to start things off. He was shaken up on the play, but later returned to action.
Siefring ran three times for a total of 23 yards to move into Shawnee territory at the 40.
After a timeout with 28 seconds to go. Crow picked up a first down with a throw to Schroeder, who used full extension to make the grab at the 16.
After a spike and incompletion left 15 seconds on the clock.
Crow threw to Siefring for eight yards and time was called with six seconds to go.
Ambos came on to try the field goal. The kick was straight, but Shawnee managed to deflect it enough so it failed to get over the bar. That sent the teams to the break with the Redskins up one.
Wapakoenta got the ball first and started at its own 32. Runs by Siefring and Mullen picked up eight. Mullen then moved the chains with a 7-yard gain. Two incompletions and a run for no gain killed the drive there with a punt ensuing.
Shawnee started at the 28, and ran five plays, moving the ball out to the 47. They punted from there. The ball came down and was mishandled at about the 20. After things were untangled, Shawnee took possession at the 17.
The defense held Windau to two short runs on the next three plays. But they were close enough for a kick, and Dylan Ramsdall put the ball through the uprights from 30 yards with 4:41 to go, and make it 9-7 for the visitors.
After a Wapakoneta punt, the defense stepped up on the ensuing Shawnee drive. Three runs gained nine yards, but the line stuffed Spyker for a loss to give the ball
Connor Meckstroth of Wapakoneta tackles Tommy Spyker of Shawnee during Friday’s game.
back to the offense.
Taking over at the Shawnee 48, Crow and Siefring connected for 17 yards on third down with one more play sending matters to the fourth period.
Mullen then gained 11 yards. But the ‘Skins would lose ground on two of the next three rushes. They chose to go for it on fourth down from the 23.
But Cowan was able to jump the route, and brought the ball all the way back to the Redskins 41.
Spyker ran twice and gained five yards. A pass to Chase Beery was complete, but Noah Ambos stopped him for a four yard loss, bringing out the punting unit.
The ball went out of bounds at the Redskins 12. Mullen covered 14 on his first rush. After two short gains, he swept right for another 11 and a first down at the 40. Siefring got seven on the next play.
Crow went to the air and Cowan made his second pick of the night at midfield.
Taking over with 4:19 to go, Shawnee was stopped twice. A throw on third down drew a flag for interference on the Redskins and kept the ball in Shawnee’s hands.
They ran five more plays before punting. The snap was low, but they managed to get the kick away, with the ball downed at the 17.
The Redskins took over with 90 seconds left and one timeout. Crow’s first throw was caught for two yards by Siefring. The next three were incomplete, however. Shawnee then knelt twice to seal the narrow win.
Game Notes
Good size crowd on hand for Wapakoneta.
Senior athletes from fall sports were recognized in pregame ceremonies.
In other WBL action, Van Wert defeated St. Marys 34-28; Kenton topped Defiance 3413; Ottawa-glandorf defeated Bath 20-17 and Celina edged Elida 21-17.
Wapakoneta (0-4) will travel to Kenton next Friday night. The Wildcats are 3-1 on the season.