Staff report
There wasn’t much to cheer about Friday night for Sidney football fans in the loss to Vandalia, but it was still a night to remember, thanks to junior running back Isaiah Bowser.
It was thought that Bowser broke four school records in the game, but it was actually five — and very nearly six.
Bowser scored four touchdowns and set four new Sidney High School single-season records. And he also set a single-game record and came within another touchdown of a fifth single-season mark.
He rushed for 252 yards, and that was enough to push him past Chris Van Tilburgh’s 1,551 yards rushing back in 1998. Bowser now has an even 1,600 yards going into the season finale.
In addition, he also set new records for rushing touchdowns in a season with 24, touchdowns in a season with 27, most carries in a season with 257, and most carries in a game with the 40 he had Friday. That broke the record set in 1996 by Kent Witt of 38.
He now has scored 164 points this season, and that’s just two off the school record of 166 held by John Wiggins.
He scored on runs of 1, 31, 5 and 6 against Vandalia, but that wasn’t enough as the Aviators rolled up 405 yards and put up 52 points Friday.
Anna-Coldwater
Anna was hoping for a big win Friday over Coldwater, and a look at the statistics would make one believe the Rockets got it.
But the Cavaliers left town with a 34-0 win, putting the pressure on Anna in a big way this week in its game at Minster. The Rockets likely need a win to reach postseason.
Anna had more total yards than the Cavaliers Friday, more passing yards, and nearly as many rushing yards. But an inability to cash in in the red zone cost the Rockets.
Anna running back Aidan Endsley carried 26 times for 126 yards for the Rockets.
Loramie-Upper
Fort Loramie was flying high after beating Lehman 20-0 two weeks ago, but the Redskins were unable to corral the high-powered offense of Upper Scioto Valley Friday in a 50-29 loss.
The setback eliminated the Redskins from playoff contention.
Upper’s first three scores all went for more than 60 yards, and the third broke a 14-14 tie and led to a 26-14 lead at the half for the visitors.
Upper quarterback Jason Moots threw just seven passes, but completed six of them for 204 yards and four touchdowns. And speedy running back Austin Sloan gashed the Loramie defense for 283 yards rushing on 24 carries and four touchdowns.
In all, the Rams rolled up 570 yards in total offense.
Minster-Versailles
Minster pulled out a thriller in a hard-fought battle at Versailles Friday, scoring with 5:22 remaining to claim a 15-12 win.
The Wildcats are 5-4 and are headed to the Division 7 playoffs. However, they will likely need a win Friday at home over Anna to play a home game in the first round.
Quarterback Jared Huelsman rushed 30 times for 189 yards for the Wildcats, and scored both touchdowns.
Minster’s defense held Versailles to just 73 yards rushing and only 157 yards in total offense.
