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Wittenberg 20, Ohio Wesleyan 0
Sept. 26, 2009
Wittenberg took advantage of a short field to score 10 first-half points, and the Tigers went on to defeat Ohio Wesleyan in a North Coast Athletic Conference contest on Saturday in Springfield.
Ohio Wesleyan moved the ball at least to midfield on each of its first 3 possessions, but on the Bishops' third drive, facing a fourth down and 5 yards to go at midfield, Ohio Wesleyan faked a punt. Senior punter John Romano (Hightstown, N.J./Peddie School) was called for intentional grounding, with the Tigers taking over at the Bishop 22-yard line. Wittenberg moved the chains once, but the Ohio Wesleyan defense stiffened, and on fourth down from the Bishop 13, Zack Harris booted a 30-yard field goal to put the Tigers on the scoreboard.
The Bishops against marched into Wittenberg territory on both of their next 2 possessions, but on fourth-and-6 from the Wittenberg 38, the Tigers blocked a Romano punt and took over at the Ohio Wesleyan 37-yard line. Wittenberg quarterback Aaron Huffman completed a pair of third-down passes, connecting with Josh McKee for 13 yards and a first down at the OWU 19 before finding Anthony Kralich for 11 yards and a first down at the Bishop 3. On the next play, Corey Weber scored for a 10-0 Wittenberg lead.
Huffman led the Tigers downfield during the third quarter, scrambling for 10 yards to help Wittenberg out of a second-and-14 spot at its own 23, then finding McKee for 17 yards and another first down before connecting with Michael Cooper for 13 yards to the Bishop 26. After Weber ran for 12 yards and another first down, it was Huffman again, running on 3 straight carries to take the ball to the 1-yard line before finding Patrick Williams for the score with 3:59 left in the third quarter. Harris's point after increased the Tiger lead to 17-0.
Wittenberg added a 25-yard Harris field goal during the fourth quarter to account for the 20-0 final.
Freshman halfback Isaac Morris (Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast) led the Bishops with 26 yards on 7 rushes, while freshman halfback Bryan Hoover (Sciotoville/Portsmouth East) gained 21 yards on 7 carries. Freshman quarterback Mike Bashioum (Wyano, Pa./Yough) completed 7 of 13 passes for 41 yards, and sophomore quarterback Keegan Varner (Westerville/Central) was 3-for-3 for 24 yards. Junior split end Kent Crozier (Curtice/Cardinal Stritch) led the Bishops with 3 catches for 22 yards.
Weber and Huffman each gained 46 yards for Wittenberg, Weber on 14 carries and Huffman on 16 rushes. Huffman completed 15 of 28 passes for 172 yards, with Cooper making a game-high 5 catches for 66 yards.
Junior linebacker Chad Murawski (Chesterland/West Geauga) led the Bishop defense with 10 tackles. Senior linebacker Sam Bixler (Denver, Colo./South) added 8 tackles, senior safety Rylan Mitter-Burke (Marlborough, Mass./Marlboro) had 7 stops and broke up 2 passes, and senior defensive end Britan Tolliver (Croton/Johnstown Northridge) made 6 tackles, including a sack.
Kyle Lohrman, Zach Hurtt, and Brad McKinley shared the Wittenberg lead with 10 tackles apiece.