Minster Rallies Late for 26-5 Win Over Fort Loramie

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER — The Minster Wildcats spent most of their opening game of the season looking like they were trying to keep the Fort Loramie Redskins in the game. In the first half Minster dominated total yardage 166-44 but only led 6-5 thanks to a lost fumble and three interceptions. So, in the second half they turned to running backs Troy Kaufman and Korey Schultz, who each reached the 100 yards rushing mark and scored three second half touchdowns to cement the 26-5 Wildcat victory.

“Our backs ran really hard tonight,” complimented Minster coach Nate Moore. “When backs run like that, that means they have a lot of faith in the guys up front.”

While the Wildcat offense returned eight starters from last year, the defense was more of an unknown, with only three starters coming back. However, despite the Minster offense’s tendency for giving up the ball to the Redskins in the first half, the defense held Fort Loramie to just five points. “You talk about overcoming adversity,” added Moore. “That team (Fort Loramie) is going to win a lot of games. We were doing a good job in a lot of things. We just had to quit putting the ball on the ground and throwing interceptions.”

Minster started the game by fumbling the ball away on their first possession, leaving the Redskins only 29 yards from the end zone. After giving up two big gains, the Wildcat defense stiffened at the five-yard line and forced Fort Loramie into a field goal for a 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats responded late in the first quarter after Ryan Hoying recovered a Fort Loramie fumble. Three plays later Troy Kaufman broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run, and Minster led 6-3 after a missed extra point.

After two consecutive Minster possessions ended with intercepted passes, Fort Loramie took over first and goal at the Minster four-yard line. Four plays later, the Wildcat defense held at the one to prevent the Redskins from taking the lead. However, on Minster’s first play they were stuffed in the end zone for a safety which led to the baseball-like halftime score of 6-5.

The second half belonged to the Wildcats. Their first possession ended with a nine-yard Kaufman touchdown run. During their second possession, Minster broke out their version of the “Wildcat” offense with Daniel Gushing taking the snaps and rushing three times for 47 yards. Korey Schultz finished off that drive with a three-yard touchdown run, and Kaufman capped the scoring with a 37-yard gallop for the final score of the game.

Next week Friday Minster travels to 0-1 Sidney Lehman while Fort Loramie will be hosting the 0-1 New Bremen Cardinals.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Minster 6 0 6 14 — 26

Fort Loramie 3 2 0 0 — 5