ST. MARYS – For the second consecutive week the blue and gold of St. Marys reigned supreme at home as the Roughriders scored a 25-3 Homecoming victory over visiting Shawnee.
Facing a fourth down and backed up to their own goal line the Indians were forced to punt in the first quarter without starting punter Shandon Sewell who left the game due to injury. Sewell’s replacement Keegan Wilson watched from the endzone as an errant snap rolled through his legs and led to a safety to give St. Marys a 2-0 lead with 6:03 remaining in the first period.
St. Marys added their first touchdown of the contest on their ensuing drive to cap off an 82-yard drive on an Aiden Hinkle score from a yard out that came just after a 33 yard scamper from teammate Tanner Howell to make it a 9-0 Roughrider advantage.
While each team found themselves deep in opponent territory both would turn over the football on a fumble before the Indians set up shop at their own 32 with possession.
Shawnee’s only score of the contest came with 28.4 seconds remaining in the second stanza as a 20-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Kimmet sailed through the uprights to send the game into the break at 9-3.
Under heavy pressure Shawnee QB Tyler Windau attempted to turn to a screen pass late in the third quarter but found his attempt stolen by Logan Compton who returned it nearly 40 yards near the endzone to give the Riders their second takeaway and opportunity for another score.
After a penalty moved the home team backwards it was a field goal the Riders were forced to settle for as All-WBL kicking specialist Brandon Bowers booted through a 22-yard make at 2:32 for a 12-3 lead.
Bowers struck again just moments later but this time on the defensive side as he swiped a pass by Windau to set his squad up inside opponent territory at the 40.
Facing a third down and 16 the blue and gold connected for a first down on their next drive as Gavin Reineke was flushed out of the pocket but connected with teammate Keegan Sharpe for a 28-yard gain to set up the next Rider score.
Brayden Sullivan’s jaunt through the left side of the Indians defensive line for his first rushing score of the season pushed the lead to 18-3 with 8:20 to go.
Runs by Tanner Howell and Ross Henschen accounted for 38 and a pair of first downs for St. Marys the next time they possessed the football before a Colton Mabry score from 12 yards out capped off a six play drive and provided the final score in a 25-3 romp.
Shawnee (4-2, 3-2) was led by Tyler Windau who finished 12/20 for 139 yards and two interceptions through the air with five balls completed to Keaton Cooper for 73 yards.
Outgained on the ground 252-4 the Indians were paced by a 12 carry, 28 yard performance from Myles Aldrich. Next up for the Indians is a Friday night home matchup with defending state champion Van Wert.
St. Marys (4-2, 3-2) was paced by Tanner Howell’s 70 yards on 7 carries and backed up by 56 yards and a score from Aiden Hinkle on the ground as part of a night that saw Gavin Reineke complete just 1/2 passes for 28 yards.
Next Friday night the Roughriders hit the road for a 7:00 P.M. tilt at Robinson Field taking on winless Kenton.