Redskins blank Van Wert in WBL tilt

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

WAPAKONETA — The Wapakoneta Redskins showed why they lead the Western Buckeye League in both offensive and defensive categories, scoring 42 points – in the first half – while blanking the Van Wert Cougars 42-0 in the two teams’ WBL contest on Friday.

The Redskin “D” also excelled, holding Van Wert to 117 yards total offense, while Wapak’s offense racked up 434 yards, 338 of those on the ground.

The Wapakoneta defense also scored a touchdown in the first quarter when Corey Crawford intercepted a Colin Smith pass on the Cougar 20-yard line and waltzed into the end zone for a score.

The Redskins scored first on a 6-yard run by quarterback Kodi Morgan, while Tristan Meyer kicked the extra point to make it 7-0, Wapakoneta, at the 6:47 mark of the first quarter. After Crawford’s interception TD a minute and a half later, the Redskins scored a third touchdown with 2:3t8 left in the first period when Cam Lauck ran 28 yards for a score. Meyer kicked the third of six PAs and it was 21-0, Wapak.

The Redskins scored the first of three second-quarter touchdowns at the 10:19 mark when Lauck bulled it over from the Cougar 1-yard line. Meyer converted and Van Wert trailed 28-0.

Wapakoneta scored a little over a minute later when Morgan found Adam Henderson for a 19-yard aerial TD. The final score of the game came when Jon Eaton broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run with 7:02 remaining in the first half.

The Redskins put their reserves in the second half, but neither team could score in the half.

Because of his long scoring run, Eaton led both teams in rushing with 79 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Lauck had 63 yards and two TDs on just two carries, while Van Wert was led by Justice Tussing, who ran 15 times for 53 yards.

Henderson was the game’s top receiver with 26 yards and a touchdown on two catches. Wapak was 5 of 6 in passing for 96 yards and one score. The Cougars connected on 4 of 15 attempts for 21 yards, no touchdowns and the interception for a touchdown.

Van Wert is now 3-6 overall and 3-5 in the WBL, while the Redskins remain undefeated at 9-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.

The Cougars will try to end their season next week on a positive note as they host St. Marys in an attempt for a four-win season.