RUN AFTER THE CATCH … Archbold receiver Chase Miller runs after catching a screen pass in the third quarter. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
METAMORA – Archbold started fast as Jack Hurst returned the game’s opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown and Archbold never looked back in a 41-0 win.
Following a three and out by the Evergreen offense, the Bluestreaks drove 63 yards in just six plays ending with a Carson Dominique five-yard touchdown run to make it 13-0 at the 6:23 mark of the first half.
The Vikings third possession showed some promise after stopping Archbold on fourth down Colton Robertson connected with Riley Dunbar down the left side line for 26 yards.
The drive would stall though as a bad snap resulted in a 17-yard loss and Evergreen eventually had to punt.
Archbold’s next possession saw them move the ball to the Vikings five-yard line helped by a 21-yard completion to Dominique and a 16-yard carry by Dominique.
The Streaks would go backwards on their next two plays as quarterback Cade Brenner recovered his own fumble and then was sacked to move the ball back to the 22.
On third-and-goal from the 22, Brenner found Karter Behnfeldt over the middle for a 22-yard scoring strike to push the lead to 20-0.
Archbold was able to get the ball right back as Evergreen mishandled the ensuing kickoff and the Bluestreaks recovered at the Evergreen 14-yard line.
Two plays after a would-be touchdown run by Dominique was wiped out by a penalty, Brenner found Brodie Bailey for eight yards and a score as Archbold took a 27-0 advantage into the locker room.
Evergreen started the second half with the ball but would turn it over on downs at their own 31-yard.
It took Archbold just three plays to find pay dirt again with Brenner tossing to Chase Miller for 22 yards on a wide receiver screen before Brenner scored on a quarterback keeper from five yards out to make it 34-0.
With the running clock now in effect, Archbold added one more score early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Dominique.
Dominique ended the night with 17 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns and was also the Bluestreaks top receiver with five catches for 95 yards.
“They’re a good team and we made some adjustments on the offensive line in the second quarter that gave Cade more time”, said Archbold head coach David Dominique when asked about Evergreen’s early success against the Archbold offense.
“That kickoff return was a great way to start the game. We’ve made some adjustments to our special teams during the season and the kids have bought in, so that was good to see.”
Trevor Johnson paced the Evergreen ground game with 41 yards on six carries and Dunbar led the receivers with two catches for 52 yards.
UP NEXT: October 7- Archbold (6-1, 3-1 NWOAL) at Swanton (1-6, 0-4 NWOAL); Bryan (3-4, 1-3 NWOAL) at Evergreen (2-5, 0-4 NWOAL)
AHS EHS
First Downs 20 6
Rushing Yards 29-155 24-41
Passing Yards 189 86
Total Yards 344 127
Passing 13-18-1 7-11-0
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0
Penalties 5-55 3-34
Archbold 13 14 7 7 – 41
Evergreen 0 0 0 0 – 0
A – Hurst 86-yd kick return (Riley kick)
A – Dominique 5-yd run (kick failed)
A – Behnfeldt 22-yd pass from Brenner (Riley kick)
A – Bailey 8-yd pass from Brenner (Riley kick)
A – Brenner 5-yd run (Riley kick)
A – Dominique 2-yd run (Riley kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Archbold-Dominique 17-97, Gomez 1-29; Evergreen-Johnson 6-41, Robertson 11-26; PASSING: Archbold-Brenner 13-17-189-1; Evergreen- Robertson 6-10-58-0; RECEIVING: Archbold-Dominique 5-95, Miller 3-37; Evergreen-Dunbar 2-52, Hudik 3-20
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com