Celina downs Cougs 22-7 in WBL game

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

CELINA — The Van Wert Cougar defense held Celina to only 233 yards of offense, but the Van Wert offense gave the Bulldogs good field position too many times, and Celina capitalized enough times to win 22-7 in a Western Buckeye League game played Friday in Celina.

The Cougars are now 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the WBL, while Celina is 3-4 overall and 3-3 in league play.

The Bulldogs got the first score of the night when Garrett Wingett ran two yards for a score on Celina’s first possession to make it 6-0, Bulldogs. The kick by Sean Kirk was wide and the score remained 6-0 in favor of Celina.

Van Wert returned the favor when Justis Tussing bulled it over from the Bulldog 2-yard line on the Cougars’ first possession to tie the score. Gavin Gardner kicked the point-after and Van Wert led for the only time in the game, 7-6.

Celina’s last three scores all came in the second quarter, with the first of those coming when Tussing was tackled in his own end zone for a safety with 8:12 remaining in the second period. That gave the Bulldogs an 8-7 lead, and they never relinquished it.

After getting the ball back on a punt, Celina again scored when quarterback Caleb Hoyng hit Grant Bader at the 28-yard line and he ran it into the end zone from there. Kirk kicked the PAT and the Bulldogs led 15-7.

Celina’s final score came with just 48 seconds remaining in the first half when Kirk ran 48 yards for a touchdown. He then kicked the PAT to make it 22-7, Bulldogs.

The two teams were nearly even, statistically. Van Wert had 12 first downs, to 14 for the Bulldogs, while the Cougars had more yardage, 244-233. The Cougars generated 148 yards of their total on the ground, with Tussing rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Wingett was Celina’s top scorer, with 72 yards on 15 carries.

Nate Stoller had five receptions for Van Wert for 49 yards.

The Cougars will have another chance to get past two wins when they meet up with winless Defiance next Friday at home. Van Wert will have to go on the road the next week to play undefeated and league-leading Wapakoneta, before returning to Eggerss Stadium to end the regular season against St. Marys.