Marion Local Offense Explodes for 56-28 Win Over Minster

By Bruce Monnin

MARIA STEIN — The series between the Marion Local Flyers and the Minster Wildcats has seen the momentum swing wildly each way through the years. After splitting their first 14 meetings, Marion Local won 19 of the next 22 games. Minster responded with a 10-1 run of their own between 1986 and 1996, but since then the Flyers have again dominated, winning 14 of the last 16 matchups.

Despite the recent hiatus in the series, the Flyers momentum was unchecked as they rolled to a 56-28 victory over the rival Wildcats.

The Flyer defense, which had given up only one touchdown in its previous three games, allowed four Minster scores. However, the Marion Local offense was more than dominant enough to make up the difference, compiling 558 total yards while scoring eight touchdowns in its eleven possessions on the evening.

"It was a good thing our offense made plays," understated Flyers' coach Tim Goodwin. "Minster is a load offensively. We knew we were going to give up some yards passing, but we are a little disappointed we gave up those rushing yards in the first half. I thought we did a better job in the second half."

It became apparent early it was going to be a good night for Marion Local. On Minster’s first play from scrimmage, they attempted to throw deep, but Kyle Homan played the ball perfectly and came down with the interception. On the next play, Jacy Goettemoeller streaked down the left sideline for a 61-yard touchdown, part of his 166 rushing yards for the game. The Flyers led 7-0 only twenty seconds after the contest had begun.

The Wildcats responded on the ensuing possession, capping an eight play, 71-yard drive with a 22-yard scoring pass from Josh Nixon to Eli Wolf. It was the first of four times this combination would hook up for Minster scores, though Marion Local would only allow the Wildcats to complete eight of their 28 pass attempts for the game.

The Flyer defense would pressure Nixon all night, and often deflect his passes at the line of scrimmage. "We knew we were going to see a lot of quick passes, so it was important to knock some of those down," noted Goodwin.

Marion Local took the lead back for good the next time they touched the ball, needing only six plays to cover 66 yards. The score came on a 34-yard pass from Dustin Rethman to Hunter Wilker. Wilker would catch five passes for 158 yards during the game, four of which were for touchdowns.

"He just has a nose for the end zone," added Goodwin. "The kid has been a football player since the seventh grade making plays. He is just a special talent."

The Flyers extended their lead to 21-7 early in the first quarter when Goettemoeller caught a screen pass and sliced through the Minster defense for an 88-yard score. Minster closed the gap to 21-14 early in the second quarter on another Nixon to Wolf scoring throw, but Marion Local was also not done for the half. Scores on a Goettemoeller 18-yard run and Wilker 52-yard catch gave the Flyers a 35-14 halftime lead.

Marion Local received the second half kickoff with a chance to end the Wildcats’ hopes early. But on the first play, Hayden Schindler forced a Flyer fumble which was recovered by Chad Stoner. Minster needed five plays to cover the needed 30 yards and the Wildcats were back within striking distance at 35-21.

Marion Local did not take long to extinguish Minster’s thoughts of a comeback. Two more touchdown passes to Wilker of 14 and 29 yards soon expanded the Flyer lead back to 49-21 at the end of the third quarter. Both teams tacked on a fourth quarter score, with Jack Homan scoring from one yard out to post the final points in the 56-28 Marion Local victory.

The Flyers (4-0) now take on another neighbor along Ohio 119, traveling to 3-1 St. Henry next Friday. Minster (2-2) will attempt to return to the win column when they host 3-1 Versailles.

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Marion Local 14 21 14 7 56

Minster 7 7 7 7 28

First Quarter:

ML – Jacy Goettemoeller 61 yd run (Peyton Kramer kick), 11:40

MIN – Eli Wolf 22 yd pass from Josh Nixon (Jason Schultz kick), 8:41

ML – Hunter Wilker 34 yd pass from Dustin Rethman (Peyton Kramer kick), 6:22

Second Quarter:

ML – Jacy Goettemoeller 88 yd pass from Dustin Rethman (Peyton Kramer kick), 11:13

MIN – Eli Wolf 36 yd pass from Josh Nixon (Jason Schultz kick), 7:47

ML – Jacy Goettemoeller 18 yd run (Peyton Kramer kick), 5:15

ML – Hunter Wilker 52 yd pass from Dustin Rethman (Peyton Kramer kick), 2:37

Third Quarter:

MIN – Eli Wolf 6 yd pass from Josh Nixon (Jason Schultz kick), 10:05

ML – Hunter Wilker 14 yd pass from Dustin Rethman (Peyton Kramer kick), 5:42

ML – Hunter Wilker 29 yd pass from Dustin Rethman (Peyton Kramer kick), 1:37

Fourth Quarter:

MIN – Eli Wolf 3 yd pass from Josh Nixon (Jason Schultz kick), 7:17

ML – Jack Homan 1 yd run (Ben Homan kick), 2:28

Team statistics ML MIN

First downs 20 14

Rushes - yards 34-220 33-138

Passing yards 338 108

Comp - att - int 13-19-0 8-28-1

Total offense 558 246

Punts - average 1-53.0 5-32.4

Fumbles - lost 2-2 0-0

Penalties - yards 5-51 0-0

Time of possession 23:48 24:12

Individual statistics:

Rushing: Marion Local, Goettemoeller 17-166, Nietfeld 7-20, Homan 2-12, Moeller 3-11, Rethman 4-6, Wilker 1-5; Minster, Dues 10-87, E Huelsman 9-16, Nixon 8-12, Stechschulte 2-11, J Huelsman 3-9, Schmiesing 1-3

Passing: Marion Local, Rethman 13-19-0-338; Minster, Nixon 8-28-1-108

Receiving: Marion Local, Wilker 5-158, Bruns 5-73, Goettemoeller 2-93, Homan 1-14; Minster, Wolf 5-86, Schultz 2-3, Schmiesing 1-19