WBL cruises to All-Star win

VAN WERT - The Western Buckeye League All-Stars did what no other team has done in the nine-year history of the WBL versus Midwest Athletic Conference/Northwest Conference (NWO) All-Star football game.

They recorded a shutout.

The WBL held the usually offensive-minded NWO squad to just 120 yards of total offense en route to a convincing 32-0 win at Van Wert's Eggress Stadium on Friday night. It was the ninth year of the Van Wert County Hospital All-Star Game.

The WBL amassed 349 yards of total offense.

With the victory, the NWO still leads the series 6-3.

Shawnee's James Dillard led the WBL with 117 yards rushing on six carries. On defense, Dillard came through with an interception he ran back 93 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown. Dillard also had a TD run from one yard out in the second quarter that put his team ahead, 14-0.

WBL coach Todd Clark, of Bath, said Dillard's solid all-around performance was the key.

"I was telling (Van Wert) Coach (Bob) Priest that if there was a Most Valuable Player for this game, that Dillard definitely deserved it," Clark said.

Ottawa-Glandorf's John Kreinbrink scored the first TD of the game with a one-yard run over left guard at the 7:35 mark of the second quarter.

Kreinbrink's TD run came moments after Dillard busted out for a 70-yard run to set up the WBL on NWO's 10-yard line.

The WBL All-Stars scored once more before the halftime break. Defiance's Eric Rubio caught a pass from quarterback Trevor Beazley (Kenton) and went 40 yards to paydirt, making the score 20-0.

Defiance's Ryan George capped off a 90-yard scoring drive for the WBL All-Stars in the fourth with a 7-yard scamper off tackle, pushing the count to 26-0.

Dillard's interception return capped off the scoring in the fourth.

NWO's Blaine Schmitt - a running back - was utilized as a quarterback. Schmitt attempted to throw over a couple defenders, the ball was tipped and Dillard came up with the football and traveled the distance for the TD.

Dillard said he was very determined to make it to the end zone on the interception.

"I got caught on that run (70-yard run in first half)," Dillard said. "(On the interception) I got the football and picked my feet up. I wasn't going to get caught from behind again."

Lima Central Catholic's Chris O'Brien led the NWO with 26 yards rushing.