WBL Week 2 Final Scores
St Marys 35, Celina 6
Wapakoneta 34, Defiance 9
Ottawa-Glandorf 34, Kenton 18
Bath 43, Van Wert 37
Shawnee 21, Elida 14
Not doing full recaps, because I'm too tired. But just some brief thoughts.
St Marys is probably going to be the first WBL game completed each week with that lethal ground game and their ability to own time of possession. Still uncertain about Celina. I thought this would be a little bit of a closer rivalry game.
Wapak probably has some of their worst special teams in years. Two missed short field goals and a missed XP (I think some might have been blocked bc the kicks were so low), and a bad snap on a punt that went through the end zone for a safety. Defiance's Zipfel had a rough return with three thrown interceptions, including one returned by Wapak for a touchdown. Wapak forced 4 turnovers I believe. I still think it's a good Defiance team that just needs to find their groove and play cleaner. Wapak offense and defense played sharp.
Shawnee and Elida were back and forth. Scoreless at the end of the first quarter. 7-7 at half. Elida went up 14-7 in the third, but Shawnee scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to win. Didn't hear much about this game, but I think there were limited offensive possessions for each team. Impressed by Shawnee's 2-0 start, disappointed in Elida; I feel like they should be playing better than they are.
Probably most puzzled by OG-Kenton. I'm not sure if Eastwood is expected to be bad this year (since Kenton played them so well last week) or if OG really just improved that much from week one to week two. The Titans went up 14-0 early and led the entire way. Good win for the Titans.
Surely the most exciting game of the week was Van Wert-Bath. I'll share a bit more detail since I followed this one. Van Wert started with a 65-yard drive that ended only in a field goal. 3-0 lead with 6:38 to play in the first quarter. Bath had an immediate answer with a 70-yd touchdown pass from Welsch to Cole (5:53 1Q). Van Wert responded with a 24-yd TD pass to take the 10-7 lead and that was the score at the end of the first quarter. Van Wert went up double digits with a 10-yd TD pass from Wise to Cowan, 17-7 Cougars (8:49 2Q). Bath with another quick answer as they had a long TD pass from Welsch to Hale, 17-14 VW lead (7:23 2Q). The next possession, Van Wert throws an interception. Bath goes into their bag of tricks with a double reverse pass, Welsch to Foster for a 61-yd TD pass. Bath takes the lead 21-17 (5:10 2Q). VW is then able to add a touchdrown right before the half with a 12-yd TD pass from Wise to Cowan to go ahead 24-21 at the break. To start the third quarter, Van Wert again went up by two scores with an 11-yd TD run. Not sure if it was a missed XP or no good 2-pt conversion, but the score was 30-21 Cougars (7:39 3Q). Bath with, yet another, lightning quick strike as they connected on a 57-yd TD pass from Welsch to Clark. This was Welsch's fourth touchdown pass and all to four different receivers. Bath cut the lead to 30-28 (7:19 3Q). They each added touchdown runs later in the third quarter as Van Wert went up 37-28, and Bath cut it again to 37-35. The latter was the score at the end of the third quarter. Going into the final quarter, the Bath defense came up with a huge stop on 4th & 1, however, their offense immediately went 3 & out. Van Wert then took over on their own 40 and drove into the Bath red zone, but made a critical mistake. The snap went over the VW QB's head and was recovered by the Wildcats. That fumble occurred with around 6 minutes to play in the game. Bath proceeded to drive the length of the field, score a touchdown and 2-pt conversion, to take the go-ahead 43-37 lead with 1:11 left to play. Van Wert got the ball back and had a last ditch effort, but turned it over on downs. A wild game. A very impressive effort from Welsch. Glad to see Bath bounce back after last week.