NORTHERN 8 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL … Stryker’s Nate Ryan runs the ball on Saturday night versus Fremont St. Joe.
PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ONE HAND TACKLE … Noah Dotson grabs the Crimson Streak runner in the first half.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
STRYKER (October 4, 2025) – Going up against one of the top teams in the Northern 8 Conference, the Stryker Panthers due themselves a huge hole right from the opening kickoff and was unable to recover in a 46-14 setback to Fremont St. Joe.
“They beat Sandusky St. Marys a week ago, so they’re a real good football team,” said Stryker head coach Jamie Grime. “They’re big and physical up front and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. Unfortunately, we made a lot of mistakes that hurt us.”
The Crimson Streaks (5-2, 4-2 N-8) scored on their first three offensive possessions and opened up a 27-0 lead after the opening quarter.
Fremont St. Joe went eight plays and 52 yards on its first drive with Andrew Spieldenner scoring the first of his three touchdowns on the night with a seven-yard run at the 9:22 mark of the quarter.
After forcing Stryker to punt on its first series, Fremont St. Joe took advantage of an impressive punt return by Liam Thiessen who returned it to the Panthers’ 17-yard line where Ethan Grahl scored on the very next play untouched from 17 yards out.
Grahl answered again with a four-yard touchdown run highlighted by a 37-yard pass completion from quarterback Zach Ohms to Liam Thiessen to the Stryker 15.
The Crimson Streaks again scored less than a minute later as defensive back Landon Thiessen picked off a Stryker aerial and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and a decisive 27-0 cushion after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, Fremont St. Joe scored twice with Ohms connecting with Liam Thiessen from three yards out and Spieldenner scored on a 36-yard run for a 40-0 halftime lead with the running clock already started.
It was a disappointing first half start in which Stryker was totally outgained, 209-(-1) in total offense. Fremont St Joe didn’t allow a single passing yard in the half and had yielded minus (-1) yard rushing on 18 carries.
Stryker would eventually get themselves back into it to begin the second half.
The Panthers drove 65 yards on eight plays with quarterback Cody Stewart connecting with 5-9, 216-pound junior offensive lineman Ethan Beltran who was wide open for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter.
“We caught them with a tight end pop pass for the touchdown, and we drew it up on the sidelines,” said Grime.
Fremont St, Joe answered right back with Spieldenner scoring the final Crimson Streaks touchdown from 44 yards out.
Stryker scored again in the fourth quarter with freshman running back Noah Dotson going the final 23 yards into the endzone for the touchdown.
The 158-pound ninth grader showed plenty of potential in the second half and led the Panthers on the ground with 86 yards on 11 carries.
“He’s (Dotson) got a great football future ahead of him here,” said the Stryker coach.
Fremont St. Joe outgained Stryker, 281-140, in total offense. Ohms completed 13 of 15 passes for 131 yards for the Crimson Streaks.
Stryker (2-5, 1-5 N-8) returns to action on Saturday at Danbury for a Northern 8 Conference matchup.
“We got three games left in the season and hopefully we get everyone healthy and have a good stretch to finish it out,” said Grime.
FSJ 27 13 6 0 – 46
SHS 0 0 6 8 – 14
SJ – Spieldenner 7-yd run (Grahl kick)
SJ – Grahl 17-yd run (Grahl kick)
SJ- Grahl 4-yd run (Grahl kick)
SJ – Landon Thiessen 20-yd interception return (kick blocked)
SJ – Liam Thiessen 3-yd pass from Ohms (kick failed)
SJ – Spieldenner 44-yd run (Grahl kick)
S – Beltran 35-yd pass from Stewart (run failed)
SJ – Spieldenner 3-yd pass from Ohms (kick failed)
S – Dotson 23-yd run (Stewart run)