10/17/2009 4:00:00 AM
Raiders can't keep up with Apaches, fall 42-21; Delphos Jefferson falls Friday, 35-7
| |
|
BY KEVIN WANNEMACHER
Times Bulletin Staff
sports@timesbulletin.com
HAVILAND - Wayne Trace head coach Bill Speller knew coming into Friday's game with Fairview that the Raiders must get pressure on Apache quarterback Brock Mosier to try and contain the Apache passing game.
Wayne Trace's defense did get pressure on Mosier, recording six sacks and several other hurries on the night. But, in the end, it was Mosier who made enough plays and found open receivers in key moments to lead Fairview to a 42-21 win in Green Meadows Conference action at Raider Field.
Mosier finished the night 22 of 33 passing for 363 yards and six touchdowns, with five of the scoring passes being 28 yards or longer.
"Brock is such a big part of our offense," noted Fairview head coach David Robinson after the contest. "He does a great job of getting the ball to the receivers and he can buy time with his ability to get out of the pocket and run the football."
But Mosier wasn't alone in damaging the Raider defensive unit. Senior wide receiver Nathan Yoder led the Apache receiving corps with seven catches for 137 yards and a pair of scores. Yoder also had a pair of interceptions for Fairview, which moves to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the GMC.
"Having Nathan this year is just a great asset for us," Robinson continued. "I thought last year we lost a lot when he was injured and I think this year he has really stepped up his game. He is so quick and does a great job of running routes and finding open space. Defensively, he is able to cover so well and he had a couple of big interceptions tonight."
It was Fairview who struck first, as the Apaches were set up at the Fairview 34 following a Yoder interception.
Three plays later, it was Yoder finding the end zone on a 42-yard scoring pass from Mosier.
"We have made a habit of scoring quickly this year," added Robinson. "It kind of gets us in a comfort zone I think and we seem to play better after that."
"We knew they scored quick and on big plays," Speller noted. "That is the Fairview offense but they executed well tonight."
After the Raiders failed to generate any offense, it was the Wayne Trace defense that turned the momentum the home team's way.
With Fairview facing a third and two at the Apache 40, Wayne Trace's Justin Holbrooks picked off a Mosier pass and returned it 43-yards to the house and put the Raiders on the board. Jason Gordon's extra point kick knotted the score at 7-7 at the 6:21 mark.
"We score and then their defense makes a big play and changes the momentum early on," said Robinson. "We told the kids all week they would play hard and would give us a tremendous effort."
However, it didn't take long for the Apaches to answer. Four plays into the ensuing possession, it was Mosier hooking up with Rodney Webb for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Blaine Murray converted the kick and the Apaches were on top 14-7 after one quarter.
Wayne Trace knotted the contest early in the second stanza, using an 11-play, 50-yard scoring drive to even the contest up. The drive, which took 6:13 off the clock, was capped on a one-yard plunge by senior quarterback Derrick Baksa.
"You have to give Wayne Trace a lot of credit," continued the Apache mentor. "They battled hard and they kept fighting. They have improved as much as anybody in our league."
Fairview, though, would take the lead for good just over two minutes later. The Apaches marched 65-yards in five plays, topped off on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mosier to Isaac Valle. Murray's kick gave the black and gold a 21-14 lead at the break.
The Apaches pushed the margin to 27-14 at the end of three periods after a five-yard scoring pass from Mosier to Frankie Roehrig.
Wayne Trace (4-4 overall, 1-4 GMC) the deficit to 27-21 with 10:16 remaining on a Dylan Horner one-yard dive but that would be as close as the Raiders would get.
Fairview answered on its first offensive play of the ensuing drive. Mosier hooked up with Yoder on a 50-yard touchdown pass, widening the lead to 35-21.
"Every time we made a big play, they would follow it up with one as well," concluded Speller. "I am proud of the way our guys played and they gave a tremendous effort. They have nothing to be ashamed of."
The Apaches set the final margin at 42-21 after a Mosier 36-yard scoring toss to Roehrig.
"We came over here knowing it would be a battle," Robinson stated. "They played hard but for our defense to hold them to two offensive scores, the defense deserves a lot of credit. Both teams put forth a great effort and we were just fortunate to come out with the win."
The Apaches totaled 390 yards of offense on the night compared to Wayne Trace's 222, despite the Raiders gaining 13 first downs to Fairview's dozen. The Raiders, though, had four turnovers with the Apaches having only two.
Wayne Trace also had 70 yards in penalties, including a pair of personal fouls, a roughing the passer and an unsportsmanlike conduct, all 15-yard miscues. Meanwhile, Fairview committed only 30 yards.
The Raiders will look to secure at least a five-win season next week as Wayne Trace visits Ayersville. Fairview, with both playoff and GMC title hopes still alive, will host undefeated Hicksville (8-0, 5-0 GMC).
BY DREW BITTNER
Times Bulletin Sports Editor
sports@timesbulletin.com
SIDNEY - The Delphos Jefferson Wildcats fell to Sidney Lehman on Friday, by a score of 35-7.
Cavaliers' back Kaleb Goins carried the ball 33 times for 258 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 30 yards, 47 yards, and 33 yards.
Jordan Jettinghoff led all Wildcat runners in yardage with 23 yards on 10 attempts. Jettinghoff was also 12 of 30 passing for 101 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.
Craig Carder led receivers with 3 catches for 46 yards and a score.
Jefferson falls to 5-3 on the season and remains 4-2 in the NWC.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
