ST. MARYS – Wapakoneta pulled off their second overtime win in the past four seasons on Friday night as they defeated the Roughriders 29-22 at Grand Lake Health Systems Field in front of a capacity crowd.
Working with a short field on their opening possession the visiting Redskins used just five plays to pick up 30 yards and the first score of the evening when freshman quarterback Caleb Moyer rushed in untouched with 8:01 remaining in the opening quarter to put Wapak on top 7-0.
Following a pair of punts and a trade of field position, the Riders opened in opponent territory but were forced to forgo the football when it was stripped from Aiden Hinkle and recovered by Kaden Ware.
Eight plays and close to three minutes slipped off the clock for Wapak on their ensuing possession as Moyer notched his second rushing touchdown from a yard out to push the Redskins to a 13-0 lead. Junior holder Nate Metzger ran the advantage two points higher to 15-0 with 10:07 remaining in the half as he lobbed a pass into the endzone and into the waiting hands of Connor Meckstroth.
Despite working a ten play drive later in the quarter the Roughriders were unable to dent the scoreboard and forced to turnover the ball on downs after an incomplete pass from Cody Wallace fell to the turf on fourth down.
Late in the first half St. Marys did finally snag their first markers of the contest on a quick 27-yard drive following a Redskins fumble in their own territory when Aiden Hinkle rushed in from two yards out with under half a minute remaining to trim the lead to 15-6. Kayden Sharpe’s two-point conversion run cut the deficit even further moments later to just seven as he bulled in from the right side.
Opening the second half with the football the Redskins traveled 65 yards in six plays and to the promised land once again on a 21-yard jaunt by Jace Knous with 8:32 for a 22-8 lead.
St. Marys senior back Brayden Sullivan carried the ball 11 times on the next blue and gold possession and picked up five first downs as part of a 14-play sequence that spanned 80 yards and over five minutes to bring the Riders within 22-15.
Trailing by seven with 11:52 to go in the game the Roughriders again pushed 80 yards, this time on 10 plays to tie the game over four plus minutes before a 45-yard sprint around right end by Keegan Sharpe tied the game at 22-22 with 7:38 to go.
Wapak ended their next chance with the football forced to punt and watched as the Riders returned the offering to their own 40 yard line with 5:56 remaining.
Behind the duo of Sullivan and Colton Mabry the hosts continued to take time off the scoreboard on the ground but were stopped on the 10th play of the drive and forced to settle for an attempted 37-yard field goal attempt by Jace Schaefer which was blocked by the Redskins and moments later sent the game into overtime.
Opening at the 20 the Redskins were stopped on first down short but found themselves with first and goal thanks to a pass from Moyer to wideout Jordan Schneider who was brought down just in front of the line after a 17 yard gain. Moyer wasted no time on the next play for Wapak as he rushed and pushed his way in from a yard out to give Wapak a 29-22 lead after a Preston Meyer extra point was successful.
Unfortunately for St. Marys the push they had utilized all evening on the way to a team performance of over 300 yards wasn’t able to come through as Wallace was stuck by a host of defenders on fourth down to secure the Redskins second straight close win in the series.
Wapak (2-1, 2-0) gained 216 total yards and was led by Caleb Moyer 6 of 9 for 82 yards through the air and three touchdowns on the ground. Jace Knous led the ground gainers with 82 yards on 14 carries and a score.
St. Marys (2-1, 1-0) netted 311 total yards with all but two coming from the rushing attack that was paced by Sullivan who carried a career high 28 times for 126 yards and a score.
Next up for the Redskins is a date with league unbeaten and defending champion Van Wert while the Roughriders will welcome winless Ottawa Glandorf to town for a Friday night league clash.
Entering play on Friday night St. Marys had won 17 of 18 home games at Grand Lake Health Field and were victors of 11 straight home contests since a 2OT setback against OG in 2020.