8/29/2009 4:00:00 AM
Wildcats claw Perry for win
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BY KIRK DOUGAL
Times Bulletin Editor
kdougal@timesbulletin.com
PERRY TOWNSHIP - Only a few months removed from graduating arguably one of the best athletic classes in school history, the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats stepped onto the gridiron at Perry High School and showed the Commodores that they can still play winning football. The Wildcats won by a score of 40-13 in the season opener for both teams.
On a night when it was rainy and damp, Jefferson won with a hard-nosed defense and tremendous special teams play. Ryan Ebbeskotte returned one punt 56 yards for a touchdown, another punt for 38 yards and a kickoff return for 22 yards. For extra measure he had a touchdown reception of 34 yards and an interception.
He was not the only Wildcat with a big night. Mitchell Antalis ran the ball 10 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns while adding 12 receiving yards as well. Jordan Jettinghoff had a nice all-round game on offense, throwing one touchdown pass to Logan Bonifas that covered 41 yards. Jettinghoff also had 37 yards rushing, 33 yards in punt returns and went 5 for 8 throwing for 105 yards.
The Jefferson defense was also on top of their game. While the Wildcat offense was busting out for 26 points in the second quarter, the defense was smothering the Commodores. Perry gave up two interceptions in the contest and did not score against Jefferson's number one defensive squad. The Commodores scored six points against the second team about halfway through the third quarter and scored the last time on a touchdown with only a few minutes to go in the fourth on the third-team defense.
Overall the Jefferson coaching staff was pleased with the way the team played. The praised the special team play and how they responded to the first game of the year. Once the team's nerves had calmed after the start of the game, they responded well the rest of the way and did what it took to win.
Jefferson (1-0, 0-0) will travel to Paulding (0-1, 0-0) next week in a Northwest Conference contest.
Jefferson 7 26 7 0 - 40
Perry 0 0 6 7 - 13
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