St. Henry Pounces on Minster Early, Wins 42-7

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER — St. Henry arrived in Minster barely holding on to their playoff hopes after losing three of their last four games. The fact that those three Redskin losses came to teams who finished the season with a combined record of 27-3 did not impress the OHSAA computers, so it was up to St. Henry take a win from the Wildcats and hope the computers sent them to postseason play.

St. Henry took care of their business, holding Minster to just 25 first half yards while they scored touchdowns on five of their six first half possessions en route to a convincing 42-7 victory.

“We talked all week about getting off to a fast start,” commented St. Henry coach Jeff Starkey on his team. “We played hard tonight. Both teams did.”

The win was just enough to earn St. Henry the #8 seed in region 20. This will earn them a trip to play 10-0 Richwood North Union next week.

“We talked about the playoffs on Monday, but have not talked about them after that,” admitted Starkey after the game when their playoff status was still in doubt. “Hopefully, our seniors get the chance (to be in the playoffs).”

The Redskins established their dominance on the opening drive of the game, as they used 13 plays to methodically drive 65 yards down the field, capping the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Stahl to Vic Fortkamp.

After shutting down the Wildcats on just three plays, St. Henry used a quick strike on their second possession. After a 16-yard pass completion, Neil Schwieterman broke free on the next play for a 43-yard touchdown run that made the score 14-0.

The Redskins were stymied on their third possession, but that would be the last time they failed to reach the end zone in the first half. Their next three scoring drives were finished with a 45-yard pass from Stahl to Tyler Bruns, an 18-yard pass from Stahl to Fortkamp and a one-yard Bryce Hoying run just before half to make the St. Henry lead 35-0.

The last Redskin score on the night came on their first possession of the third quarter, with Steven Lutmer running it in from 24 yards out to increase the lead to 42-0.

Minster put together its only scoring drive of the night starting late in the third quarter. They used twelve consecutive running plays to drive 72 yards. The Wildcat score was earned by converted offensive lineman Ross Wuebker on a two-yard plunge.

St. Henry’s record improves to 7-3, just good enough to be one of five MAC teams to qualify for the playoffs. They will play at 10-0 Richwood North Union next week. With their loss, Minster ends the season with a 1-9 record.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
St. Henry  14  21   7  0  —  42
Minster   0   0   0   7   —   7