Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local Sports

Monday, November 16, 2009

Prep Football: Blue Jays end Leipsic's tourney run
By BRIAN LESTER

STAFF WRITER

LIMA -- Joe Kirkendall stood in front of his dejected Leipsic football team Saturday night and tried to get the point across that there is no reason for the Vikings to hang their heads.

Leipsic accomplished quite a bit this year, including its first Blanchard Valley Conference crown in 15 years and rattling off 10 consecutive victories after a season-opening loss to Patrick Henry.

But the Vikings' memorable season came to a halt against state power Delphos St. John's Saturday night.

The defending state champions drilled Leipsic 34-7 in a Division VI, Region 22 semifinal on a mild November evening at Lima Senior Stadium.

The Blue Jays advance to take on Ada (12-0) in the Region 22 finals Saturday at 7 p.m. at Findlay's Donnell Stadium.

"They can't take away our 10 wins and they can't take away our conference championship," Kirkendall said. "St. John's was very disciplined and they made big plays. We knew they were big and physical, but we thought we could hold up with them from an athletic standpoint. They are who they are."

Missed opportunities played a part in the demise of the Vikings (10-2). They turned the ball over three times, all in the first half, and two of those turnovers led to 14 points for the Blue Jays (12-0).

Leipsic quarterback Liam Nadler fumbled as he dropped back to throw on the Vikings' second possession and the Blue Jays needed only four plays to turn the miscue into points.

Wes Ulm faked the handoff on second-and-6 from the 15 and ran into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 1:21 left in the first quarter.

Nadler had a pass picked off by Justin Backus on a second-down throw on the ensuing possession, and Jordan Leininger eventually scored on a 1-yard run for a 14-0 St. John's advantage.

The key play of the drive was by Ulm, who nearly slipped on the turf on second-and-13 but managed to stay on his feet and complete an 18-yard pass to Backus.

"You have to play a perfect game against them," Kirkendall said. "We were able to force a couple of turnovers but couldn't capitalize. They took advantage of our mistakes."

Ulm played a major role in the success of the Blue Jays, who took a 28-0 lead into halftime.

The senior quarterback is usually more of a threat to run but he left no doubt that he can throw as well.

Ulm was 8-of-8 passing for 134 yards. He burned the Vikings twice for TD passes, the first an 11-yard strike to Steven Metcalfe and the second a 38-yard pass to Tyler Bergfeld. The play gave the Blue Jays the 28-point lead.

The Blue Jays rolled up 418 yards of offense. Ulm's 6-yard run early in the fourth sealed the deal as his team set up a regional final showdown with Ada next Saturday at a site to be determined.

"Leipsic was bound and determined to stop the run, and our passing game really came to life tonight," St. John's head coach Todd Schulte said. "We did a great job of protecting Wes and he was able to make plays."

Kirkendall knew his team was going to have its hands full with Leininger, who ended up running for 95 yards and a TD on 21 carries. Ulm only made things more difficult for the Vikings' defense.

"We broke down on plays at times, but at other times, we couldn't get through their line and (Ulm) had time to move around and make plays," Kirkendall said. "He is an excellent high school quarterback."

The Vikings managed only 137 yards in their first setback since a 45-14 loss to the Patriots in week one. Nadler was 8-of-16 passing for 90 yards, highlighting his effort with a 15-yard scoring strike to Derrick Schroeder.

Jay Maag made a diving 37-yard catch at the 15 a couple of plays earlier to give the Vikings a chance to punch the ball in. It was the first points scored on the Blue Jays in four weeks.

While the Blue Jays will continue their march toward the sixth state title in school history, the Vikings will go into the offseason knowing 2010 can be a promising season.

"Our five seniors won three games total the first two years here. They won 16 the last two," Kirkendall said. "We have laid a foundation and hopefully we can use this game as an idea of what we need to do to get better next year."



Leipsic 0 0 0 7 -- 7

Delphos St. John's 7 21 0 6 -- 34

First Quarter

DSJ -- Ulm 15 run (Rode kick)

Second Quarter

DSJ -- Leininger 1 run (Rode kick)

DSJ -- Metcalfe 11 pass from Ulm (Rode kick)

DSJ -- Bergfeld 38 pass from Ulm (Rode kick)

Fourth Quarter

DSJ -- Ulm 6 run (kick failed)

Leip -- D. Schroeder 15 pass from Nadler (Mangas kick)

individual statistics

rushing -- Leipsic, Hernandez 11-54, Maag 1-7, A. Schroeder 2-13, D. Schroeder 2-6, Mangas 2 (-2), Nadler 4-(minus 16). St. John's, Leininger 21-95, Ulm 8-69, MacLennan 3-33, Neumeier 2-36, Williams 6-41, Clark 5-10.

passing -- Leipsic, Nadler 8-16-0, 90. St. John's 8-8-0, 134.

receiving -- Leipsic, Mangas 2-8, D. Schroeder 2-18, Maag 1-37. St. John's, Backus 2-31, Leininger 1-5, Bergfeld 2-49, Metcalfe 1-11, J. Clark 2-38.

Lester: 419-422-5151,

Send an e-mail to Brian Lester


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail rebeccaconklin@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

SBO

   AREA SPORTS

Local Sports
Duffel Bag

Duffel Bag

The Courier's Sports Duffel Bag carries local sports announcements like camps, clinics and coaching vacancies.

  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
put the blades down this time
“ Can someone please tell me why I see and saw several snowplows driving down streets that needed plowed with the blades up? ” Read More...
2/9/2010 10:39:25 AM
Jimbo wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
To Debbie..
“ I want to express that I understand where you are going with your post, but be practical. If a level 3 is called, that means no... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 10:35:28 AM
Steve wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":
unknown
“ That would be a personal responsibility choice. We all know what the winter situation is in NW Ohio and we all should be prepar... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 9:56:48 AM
J wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Citizen........
“ Findlay is located in Hancock County..... Therefore, yes. If Hancock Co goes into a level 3 that includes Findlay.... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 9:17:27 AM
Debbie wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3
“ Weathertech09~ would you like the hospital to be closed because no one is there to care for you or a loved one due to being cite... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 9:04:12 AM
STEVE wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
LEVEL 3
“ Citizen, Is the City of Findlay in Hancock County? I believe the article ref all the cars stuck in the snow Barker specifically... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 8:55:52 AM
Interested Observer... wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":
Unknown
“ In case you've never looked into it, which you obviously haven't. You can buy a used 4WD for the same money as a lot of 2WD veh... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 8:51:30 AM
Yvonne Hendricks wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3 Snow Emergencies
“ Maybe if a Level 3 is called "before" the roads are impassable, those of us who's employers refuse to let us go before a level 3... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 7:54:17 AM
llv wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3
“ Level 3 emergency: Most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 7:48:01 AM
SARA wrote in article "Four named Findlay fire captains":
SERIOUSLY?
“ First off, I think this article has been taken WAY out of context. Cograts to the guys who have received their well deserved pro... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 6:51:20 AM
Findlay Implement: John Deere
   LOCAL HEADLINES
  NATIONAL SPORTS