ST. MARYS – From the first play of the game it was evident to the spectators in attendance at Grand Lake Health Field Braeden Hemmelgarn was about to have a night to remember.
On the opening offensive play of the game the St. Marys senior snagged a handoff from QB Gavin Reineke and exploded through the Franklin defense on his way to an 80-yard jaunt to give the host Roughriders a lead they would never come close to relinquishing on the first of his three scores on the night.
Franklin’s opening play nearly match the output of their opponent when halfback Hunter Pricket raced 60 yards down the sideline and away from would be tacklers to the St. Marys 20. Unfortunately for the visitors their opening attempt at tying the game came up empty as a pass from Tressell Gibson found it’s way into the waiting arms of defensive back Brandon Bowers in the endzone for his second pick in as many weeks.
Working from their own 20 once again the Roughriders worked down the field to take a 14-0 lead over a six minute span and 11 plays when junior tailback Aiden Hinkle crashed in from three yards away for his 21st career rushing score with 4:15 remaining in the opening period.
St. Marys quickly found themselves with possession after a punt by the Wildcats and wasted no time as Hemmelgarn notched his second ground score of the night and ninth of the season, a 39-yard sprint untouched to take a 21-o lead after a successful Brandon Bowers extra point.
Pinned at their own 15 after a 63-yard punt from Isaiah Bales the Roughrider offense picked up 35 yards on a 20 yard run by Colton Mabry and a penalty on their opponents. Utilizing heavy pressure on an all-out blitz the Wildcats forced a pass from Reineke to be a wobbly rain soaked attempt picked off by Pierce Bauerle who promptly returned it 60 yards to cut the advantage to 21-6.
Ten rushing plays covering 59 yards pushed the Riders lead back to three scores with 5:57 remaining before the half as Reineke pushed his way into the endzone for his 10th career score and a 28-6 lead.
St. Marys final drive of the opening half started from their own 40 with 4:17 to go and ended just under three minutes later as Reineke dropped back to find an open Hemmelgarn in the endzone wide open for a 20-yard hookup and a 35-6 halftime advantage.
Through the first half the Roughriders tallied nearly 300 yards rushing against a Wildcats defense that surrendered 176 a game on the ground and found themselves averaging close to 10 yards per carry with a dominating performance from their offensive line.
Franklin won the opening toss and chose to defer to the second half but saw their opening possession meet a quick demise as a pass to the sideline was snagged by St. Marys junior corner Keegan Sharpe and returned to the Franklin 11.
Backup QB Cody Wallace, who just returned from injury this week for the hosts scored on a QB keeper from three yards away to initiate the running clock with 9:55 to go in the third and the Riders on top 42-6.
Punting from deep in their own territory on their second drive of the second half the Wildcats found themselves in peril once again as a snap sailed over the head of punter Isaiah Bales and was recovered by Keegan Sharpe to once again set up the Riders just outside the 10.
Two plays and twelve yards was all it took for the final St. Marys score of the game, a nine yard plunge from backup Kevin Perry and an extra point from backup kicker Logan Rush to make it a 49-6 contest with 5:46 left in the third.
Franklin’s Ethan Adkins scored his seventh interception of the season on a throw by Cody Wallace but would find his joy short lived as his own QB Reagan Brown’s offering was pilfered by Caleb Felver near midfield.
The final score of the evening came from Brown himself as he turned a busted play completely across the field and past the Roughrider reserves for his first rushing touchdown of the season with 2:12 left and a final of 49-13.
Franklin (4-7) sees their season end with a five-game losing streak while being outscored by opponents 141-49. Hunter Pricket led the ground gainers with 68 yards on eight carries but was held to just eight yards on his final eight carries after his 60-yard jaunt.
St. Marys (9-2) has now won seven straight games and moves to 14-1 all-time at Grand Lake Health Field. Offensively the Roughriders outgained Franklin 406-79 and were paced by Braeden Hemmelgarn’s 143 yards and two scores on the ground on just seven carries with a score on one reception of 20 yards.
Aiden Hinkle and Ross Henschen finished the night with 75 and 79 yards rushing respectively for the Roughriders who will host Chaminade Julienne next Friday night at 7:00 P.M. in the second round of the playoffs after the Eagles upset Hamilton Ross 38-17.