Sailors, Kuhns run over Blue Streaks, 44-6

VERMILION — Running the ball is Vermilion's game plan versus every team it has played this season. Behind the legs of senior running back Evan Kuhns, Friday was no different. Kuhns carried 11 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and the Sailors ran away from the Blue Streaks 44-6 in Sandusky Bay Conference crossover action. "I got to give credit to my offensive line and my blockers for getting me into lanes that I can run in," Kuhns said. "I would not put up the numbers I do without them. They watch film every single week on ways to give me and my fellow running backs lanes to run in." The win was the Sailors' first win against Sandusky since 1992. "This is a huge win for the program," Vermillion coach Bill DiFucci said. "This is a huge turning point in our season as we continue to check off goals we have. Last time we beat Sandusky was my senior year." The game started with Sandusky moving the ball down the field, but a costly penalty wiped away a Dale Johnson 24-yard touchdown to Terrell Ruiz. Kuhns then went to work, carrying the ball 50 yards for his first touchdown. "Credit to them tonight," Sandusky coach Jamaris Brown said. "We have to be fundamentally better and it starts with tackling and knowing our assignments." After forcing a three-and-out, Vermilion kept the ground-and-pound game going behind Kuhns and Aiden Kyser. Kyser had two carries on the ensuing drive for 22 yards and Kuhns rumbled in from 25 yards to give the Sailors (4-1) a 15-0 lead. "We preached all week that we wanted to clean up our mistakes," DiFucci said. "The boys responded by cleaning up some things and they definitely responded well." After forcing a Johnson interception, the Sailors kept using the legs of Kuhns, which set up a Drake Hooks run to give Vermilion a 22-0 lead. The first half scoring ended with Chase Jackson running it in from 24 yards. "Our special teams, our offense and defense all contributed tonight," DiFucci said. "It is the age-old saying that to win, all three phases must contribute, and tonight all three phases did their jobs." Kuhns ended his night with 186 yards and three touchdowns as well as having three interceptions. Isaac and Ayden Kiser also contributed over 100 yards on the ground. The Blue Streaks (1-4) open up Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division play next week, hosting Tiffin Columbian (2-3). Vermilion 8 22 7 7 — 44Sandusky 0 0 0 6 — 6V — Evan Kuhns 50 run (Isaac Kyser run)V — Kuhns 25 run (Micah Smith kick)V — Drake Hooks 1 run (Aiden Saunders pass from Hooks)V — Chase Jackson 24 run (Smith kick)V — Kuhns 37 run (Smith kick)S — Terrell Ruiz 10 pass from Dale Johnson (kick failed)V — Landon Mooney 5 run (Smith kick)