Area football preview: Rain hasn’t stopped Fort Loramie

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The rainy weather has caused problems for many area’s teams passing attacks the last few weeks. It hasn’t stopped Fort Loramie the slightest bit.

Sophomore quarterback Collin Moore passed for at least 100 yards with no interceptions for the second consecutive game as the Redskins rolled to their fourth consecutive big blowout victory by defeating National Trail 57-6.

Fort Loramie (8-1, 7-0 Cross County Conference) will try for a fifth on Friday when it hosts Tri-County North (6-3). The Redskins have won their last four games by at least 44 points and have won their last five by at least 27.

The Panthers may not pose much of a challenge — if Fort Loramie’s starters play much. The Redskins have already secured the No. 1 seed in Division VII, Region 28 and will host whoever finishes at No. 8 in a first-round playoff game next Saturday.

Fort Loramie racked up 508 total yards of offense against the Trail Blazers. Moore completed 9-of-15 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown and ran for 147 yards and two TDs on eight carries. Seven other players rushed for 201 yards and four TDs on 36 carries.

Tri-County North averages 25.7 points per game but lost 42-0 at home to Miami East last week. The Redskins, which average 43.5 points per game, beat Miami East 21-7 on the road in Week 4.

New Bremen at Minster

Playoff seeding is on the line when New Bremen travels to rival Minster for a Midwest Athletic Conference game on Friday.

The Wildcats (6-3, 4-3) are ranked No. 3 in Region 28, while the Cardinals (6-3, 4-3) are No. 8. Minster can clinch a first-round home game with a win and would be very likely will stay at No. 3.

New Bremen can clinch a playoff berth with a win — though Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic50.net gives them a 67 percent chance at a postseason berth with the No. 8 seed with a loss.

After struggling defensively through much of the season, Minster has been strong the last two weeks.

The Wildcats held Marion Local to 199 yards in a 7-6 loss two weeks ago and Versailles to 154 yards in a 32-0 win last week. They’ve allowed an average of 335.7 yards and 20.3 points per game this year and lead the MAC with 15 interceptions.

New Bremen allows an average of 349.8 yards and 19.4 points per game and is second in the conference with nine interceptions.

The Cardinals average 256.2 yards and 20.4 points per game. Senior quarterback Nolan Bornhorst has thrown for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for 508 yards and six touchdowns.

Minster averages 260 yards and 30 points per game. Junior quarterback Jacob Niemeyer has rushed for 583 yards and five touchdowns and thrown for 1,447 yards and six TDs. Junior running back Alex Schmitmeyer leads the team with 821 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Anna at Delphos St. John’s

Anna (7-2, 6-1 MAC) will get into the playoff routine by traveling to Delphos to close out regular-season play on Saturday. The Redskins have already secured a playoff berth in Division V, Region 18. All Div. IV, V and VII playoff games will be on Saturdays, while Div. I, II, III and VI games will be on Fridays.

Anna will know by the time it takes the field on Saturday if a win can clinch a first-round home game.

The Rockets are currently ranked No. 4 in Region 18. The top eight teams in each region qualify for the playoffs, while the top four host first-round games.

Anna is in danger of dropping this week because a win over the Blue Jays (2-7, 1-6) won’t be worth much second-level points. Pasteur gives Anna a 47 percent chance at a home game if it beats St. John’s.

No. 5 Elyria Catholic (7-2) can jump the Rockets with a win over Rocky River. No. 6 Marion Pleasant could also jump with a win over Ontario. Since all other games are on Friday, Anna will know by Saturday afternoon whether a win will keep it at No. 4.

Anna averages 353.7 yards and 35.2 points per game. Junior running back Riley Huelskamp is second in the MAC with 1,287 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and junior quarterback Bart Bixler is fifth with 820 yards and 10 TDs. Bixler has also thrown for 749 yards and nine TDs.

St. John’s ranks last in the conference in average yards (193.7) and points (14.3) per game. Quarterback Jared Wurst has rushed for 620 yards and seven touchdowns and has thrown for 398 yards and four TDs.

The Rockets have allowed an average of 335.8 yards and 26.1 points per game. They’ve intercepted nine passes and recovered nine fumbles.

The Blue Jays allow an average of 344.9 yards and 31.6 points per game.

Versailles at Fort Recovery

Versailles (2-7, 1-6 MAC) and Fort Recovery (3-6, 1-6) will close out the season on Friday as both have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

Versailles averages 260.3 yards and 15.8 points per game and allows an average of 318.2 yards and 27.4 points per game. The Indians average 284.5 yards and 23.1 points per game and allow an average of 336.6 yards and 26.8 points per game.

Fort Loramie’s Collin Moore prepares to throw during a nonconference game against Minster on Aug. 24 in Fort Loramie. Despite the rain the last two Fridays, Moore has thrown for at least 100 yards each night without an interception.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/10/web1_DDP11060.jpgFort Loramie’s Collin Moore prepares to throw during a nonconference game against Minster on Aug. 24 in Fort Loramie. Despite the rain the last two Fridays, Moore has thrown for at least 100 yards each night without an interception. David Pence | Sidney Daily News
New Bremen, Minster will play for playoff seeding on Friday

By Bryant Billing

[email protected]

Reach Bryant Billing at 937-538-4818, or follow @SidneyOHSports on Twitter and @BryantBillingSDN on Facebook.

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