Football: Wapakoneta shuts down Shawnee to stay unbeaten

WAPAKONETA – Friday night’s weather forecast called for rain and high winds.

However, that didn’t change Wapakoneta’s game plan much at all.

Like usual, Wapakoneta displayed a high-powered balanced offense as it shut out Shawnee 28-0 in Friday’s Western Buckeye League matchup under windy and wet weather conditions.

With the convincing victory, Wapakoneta improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the WBL. Shawnee slipped to 2-4 in all games played and 1-4 in league action.

Wapakoneta junior quarterback Caleb Moyer was 11 of 13 passing for 195 yards. Moyer also rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries and had two touchdowns. Jarrett Mullen, a junior running back, rushed for 110 yards on 10 carries and had two TDs. Mullen also had four receptions for 74 yards for the Redskins.

As a team, Wapakoneta rushed for 217 yards.

“Obviously, going in tonight with the (weather conditions), we knew we would have to run the ball,” Wapakoneta coach Travis Moyer said. “I want to credit the guys up front. I thought we got better as the game went on with our run game. Credit our backs for running hard. I thought the harder our offensive line blocked, the harder our backs ran, and vice versa. I want to credit everybody there, especially to establish that (dominance) in the second half.”

Wapakoneta scored its first touchdown with two minutes left in the opening quarter. Moyer capped off a 9-play, 56-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard TD run. That would be the lone score of the first half.

The Redskins recorded their second score of the night with 8:16 left in the third quarter with a 1-yard TD run by Moyer. That quick 3-play scoring drive was set up by a 72-yard reception by Kaden Page that put the ball on Shawnee’s 1-yard line.

Page ended the night with six catches for 121 yards.

“Obviously, the weather dictated a little bit on what we did, offensively,” Coach Moyer said. “But credit Caleb (Moyer) and Kaden (Page) on that big pass play, and to the offensive line for giving us time upfront. It really gave us a spark and got us going there in the second half.”

Mullen had a TD run of 12 yards late in the third quarter, and a 6-yard TD run in the fourth.

On the defensive side of the ball, Wapakoneta held Shawnee to 61 yards passing and 40 yards on the ground.

Shawnee starting quarterback JJ Spyker was forced out of the game in the first quarter with an injury. Before he exited, he was 3 of 5 passing for 24 yards.

Caleb Bacome took over under center for the Indians and ended the night 8 of 16 passing for 37 yards with one interception.

For the game, Shawnee was penalized nine times for 75 yards. Wapakoneta was whistled four times for 60 yards.

“On offense, first and foremost, we have to take care of the ball,” Moyer said. “Obviously, we had a turnover there (first half), and a turnover on downs. … So, that’s first and foremost. Also, we were limited on possessions in that first half. The weather conditions got better as the game went on. That played a big part in that too. We were playing in some tough conditions tonight.”

Score by quarters

Shawnee 0 0 0 0 – 0

Wapakoneta 7 0 14 7 – 28

Scoring Summary

Wapakoneta – 2-yard run by Caleb Moyer; 2:01, first (Ethan Eisert kick)

Wapakoneta – 1-yard run by Caleb Moyer; 8:16, third (Ethan Eisert kick)

Wapakoneta – 12-yard run by Jarrett Mullen; 0:38, third (Ethan Eisert kick)

Wapakoneta – 6-yard run by Jarrett Mullen; 8:57, fourth (Ethan Eisert kick)

Team Stats

Shawnee Wapakoneta

9 First Downs 17

40 Rushing Yards 217

61 Passing Yards 195

101 Total Yards 412

11/21/1 Comp./Att./Int. 11/13/0

9/75 Pen. /Yards 4/60

4/47 Punts/Avg. 0/0

4/0 Fumbles/Lost 2/1

Individual Stats

Rushing – Wapakoneta: Jarrett Mullen – 10 carries for 110 yards, 2 TDs; Shawnee: Dalton Hopson – 7 carries for 34 yards

Receiving – Wapakoneta: Kaden Page – 7 catches for 121 yards; Shawnee: Brady Bullock – 4 catches for 31 yards

Passing – Wapakoneta: Caleb Moyer – 11 of 13 for 195 yards; Shawnee: Caleb Bacome – 8 of 16 for 37 yards