High school football: Delphos St. John’s downs Jefferson, 49-27

DELPHOS – Delphos St. John’s gets to celebrate city bragging rights after the Blue Jays downed rivals Delphos Jefferson, 49-27, in the second annual Delphos Bowl on Saturday.

Big plays on offense by both team saw this backyard brawl turn into a good old fashion shootout in the first 24 minutes but it was the Blue Jays who came up big on defense in the second half to outlast Delphos Jefferson. After giving up 20 points in the first half, the Blue Jays limited the Wildcats to seven second half points.

At halftime the Blue Jays led 21-20 and outscored Jefferson 28-7 the final two quarters.

“Early on we were just blowing assignments,” Delphos St. John’s head coach Todd Schulte said. “We got things corrected on the sidelines and at halftime and we were able to use our run game towards the end. The kids executed well in the second half.

“It was hard-fought game here in Delphos and both teams left it on the field and the fans got their money’s worth. I am very proud of how our team performed.”

The Blue Jays presented a balanced offensive attack with senior quarterback Nolan Schwinnen paving the way as he rushed for 95 yards on 14 carries and was 6 of 10 passing for 145 yards for two touchdowns.

Blue Jays running back Clay Paddubny was a force on the ground as he gained 210 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns. Paddubny had scoring runs of 53, 13, 3 and 39 yards.

“Our receivers went out there and made some great plays,” Schulte said. “There were times when I was ‘oh are they going to make the play and they did. Sometimes you have to have a little luck.

Jefferson also had some impressive numbers on offense.

Wildcat quarterback Trent Teman finished the game with 52 yards on the ground while tossing for 260 yards on 13- of 19 passing with one touchdown and one interception.

In a first half filled with big plays, Delphos St. John’s held a 21-20 lead over Delphos Jefferson at halftime.

Jefferson got on the scoreboard first. After stopping the Blue Jays on their opening drive, the Wildcats took at their own 27 yard line. Relying on the run the Wildcats,drove 73 yards in 11 plays before Teman found Andrew Miller in the end zone from 10 yards out to cap off the drive.

After the extra point, Jefferson led 7-0.

The Blue Jays wasted little time tying the game after Paddubny, on a fourth and one, rumbled 53 yards to cap off the modest four play drive. With 3:40 left in the first quarter, the score was knotted at 7-7.

However, it took Jefferson about a minute to regain the lead when they recorded a big play of their own for a touchdown. This time, Teman spotted a wide open Karder Agner over the middle for a 73 yard touchdown pass.

St. John’s wasted even less time tying the game back when on the ensuing kickoff Connor Raynier, hugging right sideline, raced 74 yards for a touchdown. The score was tied 14-14 with 2:26 left in the first quarter.

Jefferson went up 20-7 after Teman connected Cody Bailey on a 26 yard strike to finish off a seven play drive that went 72 yards. After a missed extra point, Jefferson led 20-14.

St. John’s took its first lead of the game on its next drive when another big play led to Blue Jays’ touchdown. This time, Schwinnen hooked up with Ethan Druckemiller for a 56 yard bomb and the score. It capped off an 80 yard drive that took nine plays., After the successful extra point, St. John’s led 21-20 with 5:36 left in the first half.

Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.