Ottawa-Glandorf’s Griffin Beckett pursues Wapakoneta’s Jace Knous during Friday night’s game at Ottawa-Glandorf.
Jessica Trinko | The Lima News
OTTAWA — For two weeks, it felt like nothing could go right for Wapakoneta’s football team in a pair of three-point losses.
On Friday night, it seemed like nothing could go wrong, as the Redskins blasted Ottawa-Glandorf, 45-0.
“It feels awesome,” said Jace Knous, a 5-11, 210-pound senior running back who had 13 carries for 117 yards, including a 2-yard TD in the first quarter and a 10-yard score in the third quarter. “It feels like everything started clicking tonight.”
While the offense for Wapakoneta (1-2, 1-1 Western Buckeye League) put six touchdowns on the board, the Redskins’ defense simply dominated. The Redskins allowed minus-4 rushing yards to the Titans (0-3, 0-2 WBL).
Wapakoneta held firm on the shutout, with Joey Truesdale intercepting a pass near the goal line in the second quarter and the defense tipping a fourth-quarter pass to preserve the shutout. The team gave up just 167 total yards, while accumulating 328 of their own.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on being a great defensive football team,” Wapakoneta coach Travis Moyer said. “I think we took a step forward tonight on becoming that type of defense.”
Special teams even pitched in, even though Wapakoneta never punted in the game. After running back Reece Schnarre scored on a 5-yard dive play in the first quarter, the Redskins’ D held O-G to three-and-out on the next possession. They rushed the Titan punter, who couldn’t get the ball off his foot and took a loss to the Ottawa-Glandorf 9. Two plays later, Knaus had a touchdown, and Wapakoneta led 14-0 less than seven minutes into the game.
“A game like this, you erase it from your memory as quickly as possible,” Ottawa-Glandorf coach Ken Schriner said. “Nothing went right obviously from the very first series. We were backed up, and we gave them that short field. They scored, and it was 14-nothing before we could even breathe. Somehow we’ve got to find out who our playmakers are.”
Receiver Grant Jolly, a 6-foot, 165-pound junior, proved to be a playmaker for Wapakoneta. After being held without a catch in the first half, he pulled in a 38-yard touchdown reception to put Wapakoneta up 31-0 and start the running clock. After another three-and-out for Ottawa-Glandorf, Jolly returned the punt 58 yards for a touchdown and the 38-0 lead.
Wapakoneta quarterback Caleb Moyer, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound sophomore, completed all seven of his passes for 96 yards.
Ottawa-Glandorf’s junior quarterback, Peyton Kuhlman, completed 5 of 17 passes for 68 yards. Junior Ethan Metzner led the team with one catch for 64 yards, while senior Jordan Metzger added three catches for 48 yards.
Knous credited Wapakoneta’s offensive line with the explosive offensive effort.
“My offensive linemen were just amazing tonight,” he said. “They’re blocking so well. Every play, they did what we needed. I’m so thankful for those guys. They sell out for me on every play.”
Wapakoneta is home against St. Marys next Friday. Ottawa-Glandorf travels to Elida.
Game summary
Wapakoneta 45, Ottawa-Glandorf 0
Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf
16 First downs 8
328 Total yards 167
232 Rushing yards -4
96 Passing yardage 171
7-7-0 Passing 11-31-1
1-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-0
0-0.00 Punts 4-25.8
8-85 Penalties 1-10
Score by quarters:
Wapakoneta 14 10 21 0 — 45
Ottawa-Glandorf 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
W-Reece Schnarre 5 run (Kyle Beach kick), 6:46
W-Jace Knous 2 run (Beach kick), 5:14
Second quarter
W-Knous 10 run (Beach kick), 11:22
W-Beach 39 FG, 3:32
Third quarter
W-Grant Jolly 38 pass from Caleb Moyer (Beach kick), 10:51
W-Jolly 58 punt return (Beach kick), 8:01
W-Bryson Pratt 5 run (Beach kick), 1:44
David Trinko wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
