Solid Wildcats defeat Indians

MINSTER - In a much-closer game than the final score indicated, Minster used big plays on offense, defense and special teams to secure a 41-21 victory over Fort Recovery. When crucial moments in the game arrived, the Wildcats responded in all three phases of the game.

Despite the final margin, both teams had about the same amount of yardage gained.

"They moved the ball well on us," said Minster coach Seth Whiting. "But when it came time to buckle down, the kids did. We forced a fumble, we had an interception and we had two goal-line stops. We were on them all week about executing and playing a complete game. I don't think we played a complete game, but we definitely played much better. There was growth this week."

After being on the receiving end of a trick-play early last week, Minster (2-2, 1-1 MAC) opened the game with one of its own. Wide receiver James Niemeyer took the pitch on an end around, then launched a 52-yard pass to Devan Wuebker at the 10. On fourth down, Brogan Stephey scored from five yards out to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

The Indians responded with a drive inside the red zone, but the Minster defense forced a fumble and Kaleb Sharp recovered. This time, the Wildcats used 13 plays to cover 82 yards with Connor Schmiesing scoring on a one-yard run to make it 14-0 after the first quarter.

Fort Recovery (1-3, 0-2 MAC) moved the ball efficiently on its next possession, marching 80 yards and capping the drive with a Cale Rammel five-yard run to cut the deficit to 14-7. A defensive stop retuned the ball to the Indians, and a 39-yard completion from Rammel to Riggs Tobe took the ball to the Minster 2. A holding penalty sent Fort Recovery backwards, and the Wildcat defense stopped the Indians on downs.

After surviving that scare, Minster methodically used up the final five-plus minutes of the half. Sixteen plays later, Stephey scored on a 13-yard fourth-down run to make the lead 21-7 at the half.

Fort Recovery received the second-half kickoff and drove down the field to get back within a touchdown on a Rammel one-yard run, and the Indians seemed to have the momentum. Chase Couse soon ended that, as he received the ensuing kickoff near the left sideline, broke four tackles moving to the right side of the field, and ran 80 yards to paydirt, expanding the lead to 28-14.

The Wildcat defense turned in another big play soon after. Niemeyer read Rammel's eyes and cut in front of an Indian receiver to intercept a deep pass. Stephey finished off the drive with a three-yard run, making the lead 34-14 early in the fourth quarter.

Both teams scored once more: Fort Recovery on a one-yard run by Troy Homan, and Minster on a 48-yard Stephey run in which he outmaneuvered a host of Indian defenders on his way to the end zone. The sophomore signal-caller finished with 179 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

"He's very good with the ball in his hands. He cuts really well, and he has great vision," said Whiting. "The offensive line really amped it up this week. They were very frustrated after last Friday but had a great week of practice and worked really hard to fix some of the little things that were going on and make sure they were doing their job."

Minster's 356 yards of offense came mostly on the ground, while Fort Recovery's 352 yards of offense included 225 yards through the air from the arm of Rammel, with Homan catching five passes for 82 yards.

Minster travels to Anna next Friday while Fort Recovery returns home to face Delphos St. John's.