Wauseon’s high power offense showed up for the third week in a row to pull away from the Swanton Bulldogs in the Tribe’s first NWOAL game of the season 62-19. Their third win of the season has already matched the win column for the 2012 season.
Swanton, showing some improvements in their offensive abilities, were able to take the opening kickoff and march 67 yards in 10 plays to take the early 7-0 lead with 7:11 showing on the clock.
It took Wauseon just six plays to go the 62 needed yards on their first drive to tie the game at 7-7. A 23-yard reverse to Kris Boysel was the back-breaker as the senior speedster ran away from the Swanton defense for paydirt with 4:46 remaining in the opening quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Swanton’s Antonio Cervantes fumbled and the Indians recovered with great field position at the Swanton 45 yard line. Again, the offense, who has been firing on all cylinders the last three games, covered the distance in six plays with the final seven yards being erased by Ty Sunken as the senior signal caller crossed the goal line with 1:23 remaining to put the Indians up for good at 14-7.
After a three and out for Swanton by an stingy Indians defense, the ‘O’ ready to strike again. Suntken, on the second play from scrimmage, found Noah Castle right down the middle of the field for a 34 yard touchdown strike with 11:10 left in the second quarter. Josh Whitcomb’s kick gave the Indians a 21-7 advantage.
But again the offense of Swanton was able to move the ball behind the running of Jordan Nyler and the passing of Bryce McComb. After Matt Rainey carried for three yards to the Indians 20, the drive stalled with two imcomplete passes and Taylor Prentice booted a 37 yard field goal with 9:34 left to make the score 21-10.
Swanton kicked off as the ball landed in the hands of Boysel, he was off to the races, he broke free and sprinted 84 yards down the eastern sideline and suddenly the Tribe were back up 28-10.
An Axel Bueter touchdown and a Swanton field goal finished the first half scoring and the Indians held a 35-13 advantage at the break.
It took the Indians offense three plays on their first possession of the third quarter to put six more point on the board. Suntken found Boysel, who covered much of the distance on foot, with a 55-yard touchdown pass with just 54 ticks of the clock gone. Whitcomb’s extra point attempt missed and the Indians grew their lead to 41-13.
Swanton responded with a 13 play, 70 yard drive for their 19th point with a 16-yard pass from McComb to Robbie Gilsdorf. The Bulldogs tried a two-point conversion but Nyler was stopped short of the endzone.
With Wauseon taking possession at it’s own 35-yard line. Axel Bueter ran through a huge whole behind his offensive line and raced 65 yards untouched to paydirt. Whitcomb split the uprights and the lead was 48-19 with 4:45 left.
After running and passing for 75 yards on their next trip down the field, the Bulldogs drive stalled on a fourth and goal at the Wauseon four yard line. Defenders including Alec Vonier, Aaron Schuette, and Danny Hench helped thwart the drive.
The ball went back to the potent Wauseon offense and they did not disappoint. Behind tremendous line blocking from Noah Castle, Ceasar Juarez, Josh Kauffman, Anthony Werder, Alec Vonier and Caleb Andrews the Indians collected the 96 needed yards on just five snaps to reach the Swanton endzone again. This time it was Ty Suntken running for 66 of the yards on two carries as the second run, a 23 yarder, gave the Indians a score with 10:05 remaining in the final quarter.
The Indians final touchdown of the night came when the starters were replaced by second teamers who took over where their team mates left off covered 63 yards in eight plays with Jeremiah Kauffman scoring his first varsity touchdown on a 10 yard run.
Unofficially, the Bulldogs ran 78 offensive plays to the Indians 37. Wauseon had 436 total yards. They accumulated 323 yards on the ground and 116 through the air.
Suntken, unofficially had 127 yards on just six carries. Bueter was also over the century mark with 107 yards on nine carries. Suntken was six of seven passing and Boysel caught two passes for 55 yards while Castle caught two for 43 yards.
The Indians are back in action Friday when they host the Delta Panthers in an NWOAL neighborhood rivalry. Game time in set for 7 p.m.