Huron rolls past Ridgedale

HURON — Making plays come naturally for Huron seniors Landon Hohler, Caleb Staley and Braxton Barrett. Friday was a showcase for the trio as they combined for six of the eight Tigers' touchdowns. "We have been playing since fifth grade," Staley said. "The amount of practice we have put in shows week in and week out. These seniors have practiced hard all year." Behind the combined aerial and defensive attack from the trio, the Tigers dominated visiting Ridgedale 56-7. "I give that team a lot of credit," Huron coach Sam Hohler said. "They are a roster of 25-26 guys and they never stopped battling for 48 minutes." Behind the very balanced offensive play selection and a stifling defense, Ridgedale never truly got footing in the matchup. "We knew this was a game that we needed to win," Landon Hohler said. "My playmakers have made plays all season. This is another game for us scoring over 30 points." Hayden Wilson scored the first touchdown of the night from 1 yard out. After a three-and-out, the Tigers (2-2) cashed in on another short field, this time getting a 13-yard scamper from Hohler. After a quarter, the senior playcaller was 7 of 9 through the air for 70 yards. The second quarter started off well for the Rockets as they picked off a Hohler pass and returned it 60 yards, which set up Aydan Sadler scoring from a yard out. That interception did not faze Huron as they rattled off 21 unanswered points to end the half. "I took that pass personally," Landon Hohler said. "I knew I made a mistake and told my guys I got this and would not let them down." That scoring barrage started right after the Ridgedale touchdown as Huron answered right back, scoring on Wilson's second one-yard tumble. After forcing a fumble, Hohler hooked up with Staley on a 73-yard strike to extend the lead to 28-7. The Tigers ended the half with another touchdown after Hohler connected with Barrett. In the third quarter, Huron received the opening kickoff and scored again with a similar connection — Hohler to Barrett. This time came from 14 yards. Barrett capped his night with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown to make the score 49-7. "We are a very well-rounded team," Barrett said. "My teammates show up every day working hard and tonight is a very good indication of that." The massive night continued in the fourth quarter for the Tigers as Robert Fisher scored from 65 yards out to finish the scoring. "We had a few penalties there that we need to clean up," coach Hohler said. "We lost a very tough game last week and tonight I thought my guys responded very well. Certain things we need to run better, but overall very happy with the performance tonight." In the win, Landon Hohler completed 15 of 20 passes for 296 yards and added 96 yards on the ground. Staley had seven receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown. Barrett ended his night with five receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. "We just wanted to control what we could control," Barrett said. "Landon makes our job easier as skill players, and we had his back after his mistake in the first quarter." On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers limited Ridgedale to under 150 yards and forced three turnovers including two interceptions. Next up on the docket for the Tigers is Tiffin Columbian (1-3). "They are a bigger and tougher opponent with a bunch of skilled players," coach Hohler said. "Last year we beat them here at home, but playing there is always tough. We need to have a very solid week of practice." Huron 14 21 14 7 — 56Ridgedale- 0 7 0 0 — 7 H — Hayden Wilson 1 run (Carter Brennan kick)H — Landon Hohler 13 run (Brennan kick)R — Aydan Sayler 2 run (Derrick Maheffey kick)H — Hayden Wilson 1 run (Brennan kick)H — Caleb Staley 73 pass from Hohler (Brennan kick)H — Braxton Barrett 20 pass from Hohler (Brennan kick)H — Barrett 14 pass from Hohler (Brennan kick)H — Barrett 30 interception return (Barrett kick)H — Robert Fisher 65 run (Barrett kick)