Staff report
SIDNEY — Lehman played a rare home game at its own school Friday night, with portable bleachers and lights, all in celebration of Homecoming. And it was a successful night, with the Cavaliers routing Hardin Northern 49-13 in Northwest Central Conference action.
The win put the Cavaliers at 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference and moved them into a four-way tie for first place in the NWCC, thanks to Riverside routing Upper Scioto Valley, which was the only team unbeaten in league play.
It sets up the annual showdown with Fort Loramie Friday night at Loramie. The Redskins are also one of the four tied for first.
Lehman put Friday’s game away by the half, scoring five times for a 35-7 lead at the intermission.
Quarterback Stephen Monnin had another outstanding game, rushing 14 times for 164 yards (11.7 per carry), and hitting 13-for-19 passing for 159 more yards. He ran for two scores and threw for two more.
Jake Earhart led the Cavaliers in rushing, gaining 166 yards on just eight carries, an average of nearly 21 yards per carry.
Dylan Arnold caught seven passes for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Brandon Barhorst caught six passes for 105 yards and one score.
The Cavaliers rushed for 385 yards and passed for 177 for 562 total yards on the night.
NWCC standings — Riverside 3-1 (6-1), Lehman 3-1 (4-3), Upper Scioto Valley 3-1 (4-3), Fort Loramie 3-1 (3-4), Lima Perry 2-2 (2-5), Hardin Northern 1-3 (3-4), Ridgemont 1-3 (2-5), Waynesfield 0-4 (0-7).
Sidney-Vandalia
VANDALIA — Sidney gave up two scores in the first five minutes of the game and never recovered Friday in losing 29-0 to Vandalia in Greater Western Ohio Conference North action.
It was the second loss in a row for the Jackets, who are 0-2 in the league and 4-3 overall. Friday, they host Troy, which is coming off a stunning upset of Trotwood Friday at Trotwood, 21-20.
Vandalia led 14-0 before the first quarter was half over, and the Aviator defense took over after that, limiting the Jackets to just 233 yards in total offense. Sidney’s defense played well after the early going, and Vandalia ended up with only 285 yards in total offense. But the Jackets couldn’t overcome the slow start.
Freshman quarterback Andre Gordon rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries and was 16-for-25 passing for 115 yards. Darryl McNeal had a good game, catching eight passes for 74 yards, and Sam Niswonger led the defense with 14 tackles.
Anna-Recovery
ANNA — Anna rolled to a 28-6 victory over Delphos St. John’s Friday night in Midwest Athletic Conference play.
The Rockets are now 2-5 on the year and play at New Bremen next Friday. Delphos falls to 1-6.
Anna scored a touchdown in each of the first three periods for a 21-0 lead going to the fourth. Travis Meyer scored on runs of 11 and two yards in the first half, and Connor Rioch from six yards out in the third quarter. Meyer’s second score came on a fourth-down play, and there was no time on the clock when he crossed the goal line.
Anna scored its final touchdown on a 45-yard pass to Carter Huelskamp.
Minster-Recovery
FORT RECOVERY — Minster gave up two scores on the opening quarter to previously unbeaten Fort Recovery, but the defense stiffened after that and set up the Wildcats for a come-from-behind 14-12 victory in Midwest Athletic Conference play.
The game was huge in terms of the computer rankings, with Recovery at 6-0 going into the game.
Minster got on the board in the second quarter when Evan Huelsman scored from three yards out, then took the lead in the third quarter when Josh Nixon hit Jacob Dues from 22 yards out to make it 14-12. That ended the scoring and put the Wildcats at 5-2 on the season.
Huelsman rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries and Nixon added 60 yards on the ground. He also hit 13 of 29 passes for 152 yards, with Bryce Schmiesing hauling in seven of them and Dues five.
Minster rushed for 222 yards and added 152 through the air for a total yardage figure of 374. Recovery rushed for 184 and passed for 112.
Loramie-Ridgemont
RIDGEWAY — Fort Loramie had no trouble winning in Northwest Central Conference play, blasting Ridgemont 53-8 Friday to go 3-1 in the league and part of a four-way tie for first.
The Redskins are 3-4 overall and have a big one Friday at home against county and league rival Lehman.
The Redskins got three touchdowns from Wes Puthoff on two one-yard runs and another from 13 yards out.
Drew Wehrman scored on a 15-yard run, Alec Holthaus scored on a 10-yard run and Carter Mescher broke one from 43 yards away.
The other touchdown came on an 83-yard kickoff return by Jake Ward.
Puthoff rushed for 83 yards, Wehrman added 70 and mescher 65 for the Redskins.
Wehrman was 5-for-8 for 95 yards passing.
