Junior High Indians Defeat Decatur Community
The St. Francis Indian junior high football team completed their season in Oberlin on Thursday, October 16, with a win over the home-standing Red Devils. St. Francis won the contest 32-6, but the game was much closer than the score might indicate.
St. Francis got off to a very lackluster start in the game, especially offensively. The Indians fumbled the ball back to Decatur Community twice in the opening quarter. The St. Francis defense rose to the occasion, and kept the Red Devils from capitalizing on the turnovers. Though the Red Devils moved the ball some on the Indians, the score remained scoreless after one quarter of play.
In the second period, the Indians woes continued. The Indians' play appeared unfocused, and the Indians again fumbled the ball. The Red Devils recovered for the third St. Francis turnover of the contest. Again, the Indian defense held the Red Devils scoreless. Late in the second period, St. Francis started a 30-yard drive that culminated with a 22-yard touchdown run by Jordan Raby on fourth down. The conversion try was unsuccessful, but the Indians were finally on the scoreboard leading 6-0.
The Indians were much more focused in the second half. At 5:43 in the third period, Jordan Raby blasted through a good hole opened by the offensive line, broke a few tackles, and scored on a 32-yard run. The conversion points were scored by a K.C. Krien run. The Indians led 12-0.
Decatur Community fumbled the ball on their next possession. Tiernan Poling made an aggressive fumble recovery to retrieve the ball for the Indians. The Indians put together another good touchdown drive ending with a 22-yard run by K.C. Krien. The conversion attempt failed. St. Francis led 20-0 with 4:38 left in the third period.
Late in the third period, an interception by Connor Keller set up a 47-yard drive for the Indians. Good blocking and hard running combined to produce a 35-yard touchdown run by Jordan Raby. The PAT attempt failed. With 0:57 left in the third period, the Indians were in full control leading 26-0.
In the fourth quarter, a bad snap on a Decatur Community punt allowed the Indians to take possession of the football in good field position. Quarterback Brady Dinkel scrambled 10 yards to paydirt to give the Indians a 32-0 lead with 5:58 remaining.
The Indians substituted more and more, and St. Francis completed the game with all young Indians on the field, both offensively and defensively. Decatur Community scored on a long touchdown run with 1:45 left in the game. The conversion attempt was stopped by the Indian defense. St. Francis ran out the clock to complete a 32-6 victory over the Decatur Community Red Devils.
With the win, the junior high football season comes to a close. The Indians earned a season record of 6-1. Congratulations to the Indians and coaches Ted Busse and Nick O'Loughlin on a fine season.
