EC defeats Wildcats in rout
September 13, 2022 at 6:57 p.m.
ST. LEON – Bad news from St Leon.
For the 28th consecutive time, the East Central Trojans defeated the Franklin County Wildcats on the gridiron Friday and the 54-0 loss produced the largest point differential in the series since a 67-0 shutout endured by the Cats in 2008.
The hosts, coming back to EC after a crushing loss of their own against Cincinnati Moeller six days prior, proved once again they are the undisputed cream of the crop in the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference.
The Trojans scored touchdowns on each of their first five possessions, and after a rare punt, ran the score to 41-0 late in the first half before triggering a running clock for the entirety of the second half.
There were few silver linings for the visiting squad as the stingy Trojan defense permitted just a handful of FC yards via either the passing or running game. The Wildcats earned just one first down through their own efforts – another occurred when the Trojans were called for roughing the passer.
EC's experienced offensive unit ran wild on the evening to the tune of nearly 400 yards rushing and 494 unofficial yards of total offense.
It started early for the home side. Following a three-and-out by FC, the Trojans were called for holding on their first play from scrimmage. On the next snap, junior Josh Ringer galloped down the right sideline for a 46-yard touchdown.
The Cats tried a pair of passes on their next set of downs, to no avail. EC started across midfield after the punt and chunk runs by senior Eli Aston and Ringer put the ball at FC's 8-yard line, where Ringer barged in with his second TD. Nathan McFee kicked one of his five points-after-touchdown.
Another FC punt ensued. Despite another holding call on EC to make it 1st-and-20, the Trojans proceeded to eat up yardage again. Junior quarterback Cole Burton passed to classmate Ryan Brotherton for a 13-yard gain and then initiated a reverse play that saw Aston chew up 28 yards to make it 1st-and-goal from the Cats' 10. Burton then faked a pass and scrambled to his left to make it a 3-score game.
FC's initial first down came on the next drive when a Trojan defender hit Wildcat QB Quinn Gillman to move the chains. The guests began going backward and faced 3rd-and-25. On 4th-and-20, Mason Wewe was called upon again to punt.
After a fumbled snap, EC soon had 3rd-and-22. On the first play of the second period, FC was called for pass interference – a call hotly objected by Wildcat coach Wes Gillman. On 3rd-and-7, Burton and Aston hooked up for 35 yards. The two added an 18-yard completion. A play later, Burton lofted one to Brotherton for an 11-yard touchdown.
A three-and-out by FC (1-3, 0-2) and short punt led to another Trojan score minutes later. Ringer had three touches that netted the required 36 yards to the end zone. EC finally came up short on its next drive but with the clock below 2:00, Burton got loose for a 70-yard run; senior Peyton McCreary forced a fumble on the play, though Trae Ohmer smothered the ball in the end zone for six points.
EC's first string stayed in to start the second half, long enough to produce another TD. Ringer gained 35 more yards and Aston 29. Burton scored on an 8-yard keeper.
Two runs by senior Brady Morehead gave FC a first down on the next possession. An EC sack helped lead to a punt. Robbie Bleh, not even listed at QB on the Trojan roster, stepped under center and rushed for 62 yards on seven carries for the game's final points.
Ringer rushed for close to 150 yards and Burton eclipsed the 100-yard mark in passing. Senior Bryce Hodapp was credited with a team-high 10 tackles for FC.
Trojans 54, Wildcats 0
Franklin Co. – 0 0 0 0 - 0
East Central – 20 21 6 7 - 54
First Quarter
EC – Ringer 46-yard run, 9:57. Kick blocked.
EC – Ringer 8-yard run, 7:39. McFee kick.
EC – Burton 10-yard run, 3:52. McFee kick.
Second Quarter
EC – Brotherton 11-yard pass from Burton. McFee kick.
EC – Ringer 10-yard run, 6:59. McFee kick.
EC – Ohmer fumble recovery, 1:46. McFee kick.
Third Quarter
EC – Burton 8-yard run, 6:38. Kick failed.
Fourth Quarter
EC – Bleh 3-yard run, 6:18. Sam Chips kick.
Total yards: FC 23, EC 494
Passing: FC 10, EC 103
Rushing: FC 13, EC 391
First downs: FC 2, EC 13
Fumbles/lost: FC 2/1, EC 3/1
Penalties: FC 3-25, EC 6-65
Franklin Co.- Rushing: Morehead 9-29, Gillman 5-(-15), Wewe 1-(-2), McCreary 4-5, Wyatt Bowling 1-1, Justin Perry 1-(-3). Passing: Gillman 2-10-10. Receiving: Braylon Kruthaupt 1-5, Terrell Beesley 1-5.
East Central – Rushing: Aston 3-75, Ringer 11-146, Ohmer 3-8, Brotherton 2-6, Burton 3-88, Bleh 7-62, Andrew McCool 3-6. Passing: Burton 9-10-103. Receiving: Brotherton 2-24, Aston 4-49, Ohmer 1-16, Ringer 2-14.
(Stats unofficial)
Up next: It doesn't get much easier as FC finishes up its portion of the EIAC “Big School” Division schedule with the Lawrenceburg Tigers coming to town Friday, 7 p.m. The orange and black are 3-1 after a 55-0 shutout of Greensburg. Lawrenceburg has defeated FC six straight times with an average winning margin of 29.8 points in those contests.
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ST. LEON – Bad news from St Leon.
For the 28th consecutive time, the East Central Trojans defeated the Franklin County Wildcats on the gridiron Friday and the 54-0 loss produced the largest point differential in the series since a 67-0 shutout endured by the Cats in 2008.
The hosts, coming back to EC after a crushing loss of their own against Cincinnati Moeller six days prior, proved once again they are the undisputed cream of the crop in the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference.
The Trojans scored touchdowns on each of their first five possessions, and after a rare punt, ran the score to 41-0 late in the first half before triggering a running clock for the entirety of the second half.
There were few silver linings for the visiting squad as the stingy Trojan defense permitted just a handful of FC yards via either the passing or running game. The Wildcats earned just one first down through their own efforts – another occurred when the Trojans were called for roughing the passer.
EC's experienced offensive unit ran wild on the evening to the tune of nearly 400 yards rushing and 494 unofficial yards of total offense.
It started early for the home side. Following a three-and-out by FC, the Trojans were called for holding on their first play from scrimmage. On the next snap, junior Josh Ringer galloped down the right sideline for a 46-yard touchdown.
The Cats tried a pair of passes on their next set of downs, to no avail. EC started across midfield after the punt and chunk runs by senior Eli Aston and Ringer put the ball at FC's 8-yard line, where Ringer barged in with his second TD. Nathan McFee kicked one of his five points-after-touchdown.
Another FC punt ensued. Despite another holding call on EC to make it 1st-and-20, the Trojans proceeded to eat up yardage again. Junior quarterback Cole Burton passed to classmate Ryan Brotherton for a 13-yard gain and then initiated a reverse play that saw Aston chew up 28 yards to make it 1st-and-goal from the Cats' 10. Burton then faked a pass and scrambled to his left to make it a 3-score game.
FC's initial first down came on the next drive when a Trojan defender hit Wildcat QB Quinn Gillman to move the chains. The guests began going backward and faced 3rd-and-25. On 4th-and-20, Mason Wewe was called upon again to punt.
After a fumbled snap, EC soon had 3rd-and-22. On the first play of the second period, FC was called for pass interference – a call hotly objected by Wildcat coach Wes Gillman. On 3rd-and-7, Burton and Aston hooked up for 35 yards. The two added an 18-yard completion. A play later, Burton lofted one to Brotherton for an 11-yard touchdown.
A three-and-out by FC (1-3, 0-2) and short punt led to another Trojan score minutes later. Ringer had three touches that netted the required 36 yards to the end zone. EC finally came up short on its next drive but with the clock below 2:00, Burton got loose for a 70-yard run; senior Peyton McCreary forced a fumble on the play, though Trae Ohmer smothered the ball in the end zone for six points.
EC's first string stayed in to start the second half, long enough to produce another TD. Ringer gained 35 more yards and Aston 29. Burton scored on an 8-yard keeper.
Two runs by senior Brady Morehead gave FC a first down on the next possession. An EC sack helped lead to a punt. Robbie Bleh, not even listed at QB on the Trojan roster, stepped under center and rushed for 62 yards on seven carries for the game's final points.
Ringer rushed for close to 150 yards and Burton eclipsed the 100-yard mark in passing. Senior Bryce Hodapp was credited with a team-high 10 tackles for FC.
Trojans 54, Wildcats 0
Franklin Co. – 0 0 0 0 - 0
East Central – 20 21 6 7 - 54
First Quarter
EC – Ringer 46-yard run, 9:57. Kick blocked.
EC – Ringer 8-yard run, 7:39. McFee kick.
EC – Burton 10-yard run, 3:52. McFee kick.
Second Quarter
EC – Brotherton 11-yard pass from Burton. McFee kick.
EC – Ringer 10-yard run, 6:59. McFee kick.
EC – Ohmer fumble recovery, 1:46. McFee kick.
Third Quarter
EC – Burton 8-yard run, 6:38. Kick failed.
Fourth Quarter
EC – Bleh 3-yard run, 6:18. Sam Chips kick.
Total yards: FC 23, EC 494
Passing: FC 10, EC 103
Rushing: FC 13, EC 391
First downs: FC 2, EC 13
Fumbles/lost: FC 2/1, EC 3/1
Penalties: FC 3-25, EC 6-65
Franklin Co.- Rushing: Morehead 9-29, Gillman 5-(-15), Wewe 1-(-2), McCreary 4-5, Wyatt Bowling 1-1, Justin Perry 1-(-3). Passing: Gillman 2-10-10. Receiving: Braylon Kruthaupt 1-5, Terrell Beesley 1-5.
East Central – Rushing: Aston 3-75, Ringer 11-146, Ohmer 3-8, Brotherton 2-6, Burton 3-88, Bleh 7-62, Andrew McCool 3-6. Passing: Burton 9-10-103. Receiving: Brotherton 2-24, Aston 4-49, Ohmer 1-16, Ringer 2-14.
(Stats unofficial)
Up next: It doesn't get much easier as FC finishes up its portion of the EIAC “Big School” Division schedule with the Lawrenceburg Tigers coming to town Friday, 7 p.m. The orange and black are 3-1 after a 55-0 shutout of Greensburg. Lawrenceburg has defeated FC six straight times with an average winning margin of 29.8 points in those contests.