Wikel's punt return TDs lead SMCC

SANDUSKY — The opportunities have been few and far between. St. Mary Central Catholic junior Cayden Wikel returned just one punt for the Panthers in the first three games of the season. Saturday, he had two opportunities against Stryker in the first half. He cashed in both times. Wikel returned both punts for touchdowns as SMCC rolled to a 42-0 Northern 8 Conference win at Strobel Field. Wikel's first touchdown came on a 29-yard return after a short punt by Stryker. Later, he cut and sliced through the defense for a 64-yard score. "It was great," Wikel said. "I haven't hardly had any chances in the first three games and it was great to get two chances in the first half. I followed my wall and block and trusted them." It didn't take long for the Panthers (4-0, 2-0 N8) to take control of the game. On the second play, Josh Will exploded through the line and scored on a 64-yard run. The extra point was no good, but the Panthers led 6-0 just 37 seconds in. Bryan Gibson picked an interception for SMCC's defense on the first offensive series by Stryker (1-3, 0-2). Quarterback Grant Swain went for 35 yards to the Stryker 8, but the Panthers turned the ball over on downs. Stryker went three-and-out and the short punt gave Wikel his first opportunity. Swain's 2-point run pushed the advantage to 14-0. "He always seems to make the first guy miss," SMCC coach Toby Hammond said. "He's tough to bring down on punts and kicks. People aren't going to kick the ball anymore. That's less offense that we have to score." Stryker picked up a pair of first downs on its next drive before Trace Smith ended the drive with another interception for the SMCC defense. On the first play from scrimmage, Gibson scored on a 59-yard run. Swain added the 2-point conversion for a 22-0 lead. Stryker again went three-and-out, leading to Wikel's second touchdown. Gibson converted the 2-point conversion to make it 30-0 with 2:09 left in the first quarter. Swain added a 38-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. "Like I told the kids all week, this is the best team we've played so far," Hammond said. "They're big and physical. I thought we were better in space than they are. We just had to get the ball in space." SMCC was able to play its younger players for most of the final three quarters. Freshman Jace Lane scored on a 44-yard run in the fourth. For SMCC, it was more about its defense. No matter who was on the field, the Panthers' defense was huge throughout. SMCC finished off its fourth straight shutout to open the season. The Panthers have outscored their opponents 156-0. "At halftime in the locker room, the first-team guys were encouraging the younger guys to keep the shutout going," Hammond said. "If they don't score, they don't win." SMCC travels to Danbury (4-0, 1-0) in a high-profile league game this Saturday. "We have a big game next week with Danbury," Hammond said. "By far the best team we've played so far. They're going to want a piece of us. Like I told the kids, there's a big bull's-eye on our chest. People have us highlighted on their schedules." Stryker 0 0 0 0 — 0SMCC 30 6 0 6 — 42 SMCC — Josh Will 64 run (kick failed)SMCC — Cayden Wikel 29 punt return (Grant Swain run)SMCC — Bryan Gibson 59 run (Swain run)SMCC — Wikel 64 punt return (Gibson run)SMCC — Swain 38 run (kick failed)SMCC — Jace Lane 44 run (kick failed)