LONDON – Despite trailing at the half the St Marys Roughriders fought back in the second half and held off host London 10-7 to earn head coach Bo Frye his first career victory.
Following a pair of punts to open the contest the Roughriders began to move the ball down the field on their second possession but watched as London added the first score of the contest on a scoop of a St Marys fumble and 30 yard jaunt into the endzone by senior defensive back Richard Dodson for six. Ryan Fuller’s successful extra point attempt pushed the Red Raiders lead to 7-0 with 7:38 remaining in the opening quarter of play.
Working from their own 44 on their ensuing possession the Roughriders picked up a first down on an 18 yard scamper by freshman running back Colton Mabry to push themselves into London territory. Though St Marys was able to move the ball effectively they would be stopped on third down and forced to settle for a 36 yard field coach by Brandon Bowers at the 3:31 mark to cut the lead to 7-3.
Neither team found themselves able to do much in the way of adding to the score over the next quarter until St Marys move from their own 38 deep into Red Raider territory on a pass from Tanner Howell to Gavin Reineke that spanned 31 yards. Unfortunately for the Riders their drive would result in a turnover on downs when they were unable to pick up enough yards through the air on three straight plays before London took over and ran out the first half clock.
London opened the second half with the football but were quickly forced into a three and out that was punctuated by a sack of QB Dylan Combs by the Roughrider defense.
Opening in London territory at the 44 the blue and gold offense behind the quartet of Colton Mabry, Ross Henschen, Tanner Howell, and Gavin Reineke rushed their way inside the London redzone.
St Marys biggest gain of the drive came through the air on second down as Reineke whipped a pass to his left to Howell who promptly picked up 28 yards before being dragged to the Bowlus Field turf.
Reineke utilized his feet on third down to the five when he was forced out of the pocket and found himself in the endzone three plays later on a one yard dive with 4:22 to put the Riders on top 10-7 after adding a Bowers extra point moments later.
Trailing 10-7 with just over six minutes remaining in the final stanza and working deep in St Marys territory after a 41 yard scamper by Antwaun Burns the London offense found themselves forced to settle for an attempted 42 yard field goal as Combs was sacked by cornerback Drew Dammeyer for a 15 yard loss.
Junior kicker Ryan Fullmer’s kick was short for London and fell into the endzone to keep St Marys on top by three with 6:00 to go.
Though the Riders were unable to put any more points on the board they ran off close to three minutes before being forced to punt the ball back to London who set up shop near midfield.
Similarly to how St Marys had been forced to give up the ball in the first half the Red Raiders missed on three consecutive pass attempts and turned the ball over on downs to their guests who picked up a key first down on a Tanner Howell run to ice the clock and initiate the kneel down by Reineke to complete the comeback win.
London (0-1) was led in rushing by Antwaun Burns who carried 20 times for 134 of the total 166 yards his team gained on the evening. Combs finished 6/15 for 46 yards through the air with three of his connections to future Indiana Hoosier Isaiah Jones for 23 yards.
Through the air the Roughriders duo of Gavin Reineke (2/7, 33 yards) and Tanner Howell (1/2, 33 yards) ended the night 3/9 for 64 yards while the rushing attack of Mabry (9/43), Henschen (11/34), and Howell (15/31) helped account for 126 yards on 45 carries.
Next up for London is Licking Valley while St. Marys (1-0) will open Western Buckeye League play at home against Defiance.