The Ashby Arrows did not get the main gate locked in time last Friday and the Verndale Pirates came roaring through en route to a 52-12 Pheasant Conference victory.
Verndale racked up a quick 30 points in the first quarter and led 38-0 at the midway point. The Arrows managed to score two second half touchdowns on 33- and 39-yard runs by Mason Johnson and Jordan Lillemon.
It was the third straight rout by Mike Mahlen and his state-ranked Pirates. In their first three games this year the veteran Pirates have outscored the competition 136-46.
Zack Meidinger put two of Verndale's four touchdowns on the board in the first period. Meidinger broke off an 84-scoring run around the left side of Ashby's line for Verndale's first touchdown. He also scored the last touchdown of the quarter when he returned an interception 80 yards for six.
Sandwiched between Meidinger's touchdowns were a 14-yard TD run by Amos Schmidt and a 1-yard plunge by Colby Schmidt.
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Amos Schmidt capped the first half scoring when he exploded for a 33-yard TD run.
Dustin Motschenbacher led a 348-yard rushing attack. The Verndale back topped the century mark with 123 yards on eight carries and fourth quarter touchdown runs of 58 and 43 yards.
Meidinger gained 97 yards on only three carries while Amost Schmidt picked up 87 on seven attempts.
The Arrows amassed 170 yards on the ground with Mason Johnson collecting 103 yards on 21 attempts.
Colby Schmidt connected on two of his three passes for 37 yards. His big gainer was a 29-yard strike to Nathan Wiese in the first quarter.
Cody Yungbauer had a 14-tackle game while Kyle Booth came up with two quarterback sacks. The Pirates forced four turnovers, three on interceptions by Meidinger, Colby Schmidt and Nate Bart and one on a fumble recovery by Matt Willis.
The Pirates host Jared Schultz and the Hillcrest Comets at 7 p.m. Oct. 2.
Verndale 52, Ashby 12
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Verndale 30 8 0 14 - 52
Ashby 0 0 6 6 - 12
Verndale: Zack Meidinger 84 yd run (PAT Amos Schmidt run), Schmidt 14 yd run (PAT Colby Schmidt), Colby Schmidt 1 yd run (PAT Colby Schmidt run), Meidinger 80 yd interception return (PAT failed), Amos Schmidt 33 yd run (PAT Amos Schmidt run), Dustin Motschenbacher 58 yd run (PAT failed), Motschenbacher 43 yd run (PAT Jayson Perius run)
Ashby: Mason Johnson (PAT failed), Jordan Lillemon (PAT failed)
Vern. Ash.
First Downs 6 8
Yards Rushing 348 170
Yards Passing 37 29
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Total Yards 386 199
Passes 2-3 5-12
Intercepted by 3 0
Fumbles lost 1 0
Penalties 6-40 1-15
