Down to the wire

CELINA - Bath's offense was electric Friday.

But Celina's two-minute offense was lights out.

After allowing the go-ahead touchdown with 1:54 remaining, the Bulldogs drove 80 yards as quarterback Bobby Morris passed to Kaiden Werntz for an 11-yard touchdown and then a two-point conversion to secure a 36-35 victory at Celina Stadium.

"They're explosive and it was hard to get stops," Celina coach Brennen Bader said. "With the way the game was going, we talked about going for two if we were able to score on that last drive.

"Hats off to our offensive coaches," he added. "The kids executed and we finished."

The Bulldogs (5-2, 4-2 WBL) looked finished after Mikey Hale's 11-yard touchdown run with 1:54 to play,

Taking over at its own 20, Celina fizzled on three plays before converting a fourth-and-14 thanks to a hook-and-ladder. The pass went from Morris to Carson Weitzel to Wes Greber for 22 yards. They benefited from a pass-interference call shortly after, then it was all about players making plays.

Morris delivered a strike to Wertnz for a gain of 34 to set up Celina at the Bath 11 with eight seconds left. A high-arching pass from Morris sailed over the hand of a Bath defender and into the hands of Werntz with two seconds remaining. On the two-point try, Morris threw a 50-50 ball in the direction of Werntz, who secured the ball - and game - for Celina despite being tightly covered.

"(Werntz) is a senior who has put in a lot of time," Bader said. "Those were great throws by our quarterback. Werntzy just went up and wasn't going to be denied."

After forcing a Bath punt on the game's opening series, Jon Lutz rushed 29 yards to move Celina to plus territory. Eventually, Parker Bertke capped a five-play, 60-yard drive with a rush from 11 yards out.

A two-yard TD pass from Zach Welsch to Hale tied the score at 7-all with 3:21 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats covered 76 yards on 12 plays.

Celina outscored Bath 14-7 over the remainder of the half. Morris called his own number for a 1-yard TD plunge late in the first frame. Karsyn Smalley's second made extra point completed a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Morris followed with a 35-yard TD pass to Werntz a little later, which gave Celina a 21-7 advantage.

Hale had his second score midway through the second quarter with a five-yard run. Later in the quarter, Bath had a drive stall on four downs deep inside Celina territory.

Bath tied the score with 5:55 remaining in the third, though, as good blocking on a screen pass freed Josiah Clark for a 19-yard TD.

Later in the quarter, Celina's defense held serve against Bath and forced a punt. A 20-yard pass play from Morris to Carson Weitzel put the Bulldogs in Wildcat territory. Morris put Celina back in front with a five-yard rushing touchdown.

The momentum was short-lived, however, as Vinny Vendetta returned the kickoff 37 yards to Celina's side of the field. Bath later completed a fourth-and-nine pass attempt for just enough yardage, leading to a one-yard TD rush by Welsch which tied the score at 28-all with 9:25 left.

Bath covered 75 yards in 12 plays to take the lead. Celina marched 80 yards in 10 plays to set up the winning sequence.

"When we had to have it, we made plays," Bader said. "That's why I'm so proud of our kids. It was a total team effort."

Hale had 25 carries for 151 yards. Welsch completed 17-of-29 passes for 187 yards.

Werntz finished with seven catches for 115 yards. Morris completed 16-of-24 passes for 183 yards. Lutz added 13 carries for 71 yards.

Celina travels north to Ottawa-Glandorf next Friday to face the Titans.