Bath’s Mikey Hale looks to get around Shawnee’s Cole Sunderland during Friday night’s game at Bath.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
BATH — Western Buckeye League play pitted a pair of cross-town rivals together Friday night at Bath Stadium as the Wildcats welcomed the Shawnee Indians. The back-and-forth tilt was settled in overtime when Mikey Haley barreled into the end zone to seal Bath’s 20-17 victory.
Bath found success in the first quarter, Carson Kinnaird intercepted Caleb Bacome’s first pass of the evening to set the hosts up near midfield. Bath couldn’t move the ball and was forced to punt; Shawnee’s Derek Lyons misplayed the punt at Bath’s 9 and the Wildcats pounced on the ball.
With 5:29 to play in the first quarter, Bath quarterback Zach Welsch fell forward on a QB sneak to put the Cats on the scoreboard.
“Zach (Welsch) is always a playmaker for us, and we knew we could count on him tonight.” Bath head coach Frank Russell said.
Shawnee wasted zero time marching down the field on the ensuing possession. The Indians bread and butter all night was the legs and agility of Derek Lyons, Lyons found the end zone midway through the second stanza to bring the game even.
Each team missed on opportunities just before the break. Just when it looked like the Wildcats were going to jump in front, bad luck struck Bath. Zach Welsch fumbled just before the goal line, the ball tumbled out of the back of the end zone for a touchback and erase the promising Wildcat drive.
Tyler Kimmet’s 39-yard field goal try was just short as time expired in the first half, the score remained 7-7.
“We always talk about having to win the turnover battle, we have to take better care of the football, we left two touchdowns off the board tonight,” Russell said. “Our mindset is that we are going to move on after each play. We were able to surpass our mistakes.”
Lyons struck again in the third quarter after breaking multiple tackles, he bounced on nearly each defender en route to his second touchdown of the night. This time from 60 yards out to give Shawnee its first lead at 14-7.
Bath had an answer following a three-and-out. Beginning at its own 8-yard line with 2:36 to play in the third, the Wildcats took a large chunk off the clock. Zach Welsch finished off the 82-yard drive with a 3-yard scamper for the final score in regulation.
Both sides sawone possession in overtime. Penalties haunted the Shawnee drive, and it was forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal. It took just five plays for Bath to find the end zone and seal the victory on Hale’s 4 yard run.
“I knew our kids were going to execute. We asked our kids all year to work hard and strive to be great, and that overtime drive proved that they have put in the work, and I know they will continue to do so,” Russell said.
Beginning the season 2-1, Bath is off to their best start since 2021, the Wildcats hit the road next Friday night looking to avenge last season’s loss to Kenton. Shawnee welcomes Celina.
Scoring summary
Shawnee 7 0 7 0 3 – 17
Bath 7’ 0’ 7’ 0’ 6’ – 20
Scoring.
B – Zach Welsch 1 run (C. Meyer kick)
S – Derek Lyons 5 run (T. Kimmet kick)
S – Derek Lyons 60 run (T. Kimmet kick)
B – Zach Welsch 3 run (C. Meyer kick)
S – Tyler Kimmet 22 field goal
B – Mikey Haley 4 run (no conversion attempt)
Nate Stidham wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
