Jake Bouy leads Margaretta to shutout of Western

CASTALIA — Weekly adjustments can make all the difference in high school football. Margaretta made those adjustments and it showed on the field in a 21-0 win over Western Reserve on Friday. In a game that featured the Riders playing without three-year letter-winner quarterback Hayden Keith, the Polar Bears made it tough on Western Reserve. In addition to playing without Keith, Margaretta kept Landyn Wiegel in check after he exploded in Week 1 with 27 carries for 185 yards and five touchdowns. "That is a good, hard hitting football team," Margaretta coach Gary Quisno said. "Their quarterback was not playing, but it kinda evens out because last year we were all beat up and this year they were without their best player." After busting out of the gate on the ground last week in their week 1 loss, senior quarterback Jake Bouy had another massive game for the Polar Bears (1-1). In the first quarter after forcing Margaretta to go three-and-out, it looked like the 'Riders (1-1) were going to have another big offensive performance. Wiegel took an inside handoff on Western's first play from scrimmage 60 yards. After that, the theme for the game was missed scoring chances. That drive stalled as the Polar Bears forced a turnover on downs. Bouy made them pay as he hit Carter Luzader on a 42-yard pass, which set up his first big run of the night. His first of three touchdowns came from 36 yards. After marching down the field again, Western Reserve once again turned it over on downs. After a quarter of play, it was 7-0. Bouy hit on another long pass, this time to Kale Bailey for 50 yards. The Polar Bears cashed it in from two yards out for a 13-0 lead. After getting a stop, Bouy capped off the hat trick of rushing TDs, this time from 46 yards. In a game that featured Margaretta using their skill players, it was the lineman that Bouy credited the most. "I saw my big beautiful lineman give me big holes to run in all night," Bouy said." I mean Judah, Zach, Tyson, Carter, all my skill guys make a huge difference, but I have to shout out my offensive lineman. They are the only reasons we can get yards and make plays." After scoring 21 first-half points, both defenses went to work as no offense had any long sustained drive until deep into the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. "We played hard, you know, I am proud of the way my guys bounced back tonight," Quisno said. "We took a lot of time this week telling our guys it is about defending the Duck Pound and I am really proud of the guys and the coaching staff." Margaretta is home again next week against Brookside, an opponent they have never faced. Brookside is out of the Lorain County League. "We will enjoy this win tonight over a very tough and physical team and get right back to work," Quisno said. "Brookside will be a new challenge and it is another game in which we can defend home turf." Western Reserve 0 0 0 0 — 0 Margaretta 7 14 0 0 — 21 M — Jake Bouy 36 run (Bouy kick)M — Bouy 2 run (kick failed)M — Bouy 46 run (Bouy kick)