Minster Solid in 30-7 Rematch Win Over Fort Loramie

By Bruce Monnin

WAPAKONETA — When the Minster Wildcats played the Fort Loramie Redskins during the first week of the season, they turned to their defense and their running game to help ensure a 26-5 victory. During their regional semifinal rematch, Minster returned to the same formula, holding Fort Loramie to just 177 total yards while compiling 377 yards of their own, 261 of which came from the running game. The result was a 30-7 Wildcat victory.

“Our kids just played their tails off tonight,” complimented Minster coach Nate Moore.

The Minster running back duo of Troy Kauffman and Korey Schultz were effective as usual, Kauffman racking up 107 yards and Schultz another 72 yards. “We run behind two all-MAC offensive linemen (Ryan Will and Clay Bornhorst),” was Moore’s explanation for their success.

Quarterback Adam Niemeyer, besides throwing for 116 yards, also ran for another 81 on the ground. “I’ve never seen Adam run the ball with so much authority,” added Moore.

Fort Loramie started the game by driving into Minster territory in each of their first three possessions. The Minster defense forced Redskin punts the first two times and jarred loose a fumble to end the third Fort Loramie threat.

The Wildcat offense went nowhere on their first drive, but the second time they had the ball they used up most of the first quarter with a 13 play, 80-yard scoring drive. Schultz was the workhorse, rushing the ball nine times for 46 yards, including the nine-yard scoring effort.

The next time Minster had the ball they displayed more of a quick strike offense. After gaining just three yards on their first two plays, Niemeyer connected with Ethan Wolf for a big 44-yard completion. On the next play, Kauffman threaded his way through the Redskin defense for a 40-yard touchdown run. The teams exchanged interceptions just before intermission, leaving Minster with a 14-0 halftime lead.

The decisive moment in the game came early in the third quarter. Minster drove 67 yards to the Fort Loramie one-yard line but were stuffed just short of paydirt on a fourth down run. On the Redskins’ next offensive play, they lost control of a pitch in the end zone and were forced to fall on the ball, giving Minster a safety.

The Wildcats took the ensuing free kick and marched 44 yards on seven plays, with Daniel Gushing scoring from one yard out to give Minster an insurmountable 23-0 lead.

Minster would add one last tally early in the fourth quarter, on a 13-yard touchdown run by Niemeyer. The Wildcat defense would finally yield one score to Fort Loramie after the game was no longer in doubt. Ryan Humphries scored on a three-yard run with just ten seconds remaining in the game for the final 30-7 score.

Understandably, Coach Moore was quite pleased with his team’s overall effort. “As long as we play as well as we are capable of playing, we can compete with any team in the state.”

The win moves Minster’s record to 9-3. The last time the Wildcats won nine games was when they finished the 1996 season with an identical 9-3 mark. Next week Saturday Minster gets the chance to improve that record when they play 10-2 Marion Local in the regional semifinals. Fort Loramie ends the season with a 10-2 record, both losses coming against Minster.

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Minster 6 8 9 7 30

Fort Loramie 0 0 0 7 7