Wapakoneta’s Kaden Page runs against Defiance’s Anthony Wilder during Friday’s game at Mercy Health Wapak Ford Field in Wapakoneta.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
WAPAKONETA — Turnovers are often the difference-maker in a game, especially when they’re timely.
In the second quarter of Friday night’s WBL showdown between Wapakoneta and Defiance, Wapak’s Noah Bishop made one of those timely turnovers when he forced a fumble from Defiance’s Noah Gomez.
That giveaway halted Defiance’s drive at the Redksins’ 31-yard line.
On the next play, quarterback Caleb Moyer found wide receiver Kaden Page with a short pass and Page took the ball 69 yards to the endzone. Wapakoneta went on to score the first 34 points of the game en route to a 34-9 victory over Defiance in its WBL opener.
“Both teams kind of punched back and forth there early on with some missed field goals but it was big in terms of the swing. Kaden made a phenomenal play,” said Wapakoneta coach Travis Moyer. “Big-time players make big-time plays and that’s what we expect from our guys every game.”
“When I caught the ball, I saw defenders taking the inside angle, so I reversed and went outside, then I used my speed to get to the endzone,” Page said. “I’m feeling great out there. For us, it’s all about stacking games and getting better.”
Both Wapakoneta and Defiance ended their first drive with a missed field goal. The game remained scoreless until Moyer capped a nine-play drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown four minutes into the second quarter.
Bishop’s forced fumble came on the ensuing Defiance drive, setting up Page’s touchdown. It was one of four turnovers Wapak forced on the night, including a 28-yard pick-six from Ryan Walter in the third quarter.
“Anytime you can switch the momentum and score off it, it helps you tremendously,” Moyer said. “We had to grind for 48 minutes tonight. It wasn’t easy contrary to what the scoreboard says. It’s a good start but we have to continue to focus and continue to get better every day.”
The Redskins capped off a dominant second quarter with a 13-yard touchdown from Moyer to Grant Houser. Houser, a tight end committed to the University of Louisville, finished the game with six catches for 47 yards.
Moyer ended the night going 16 of 22 through the air for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He carried the ball eight times for 12 yards and a score. Moyer completed 10 of his first 12 passes in the first half.
Page proved to be Moyer’s favorite target once again with seven grabs for 90 yards, including that long touchdown, and one carry for 34 yards.
Defiance didn’t crack the scoreboard until late in the third quarter.
Brez Zipfel, who was making his first start under center this season, floated a 35-yard pass to Brady Borton in the endzone, ending Wapak’s hopes of a shutout.
Zipfel ended the game 16 of 28 on passes for 158 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He also rushed for 27 yards on two carries.
After running backs Abel Rubio and Anthony Wilder combined for 183 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 35-34 overtime loss to Napoleon, Wapak limited the duo to 69 yards on 12 carries. The Bulldogs rushed for 106 yards as a team.
Unofficially, Wapakoneta had 392 total yards compared to 264 from Defiance.
Next week the Bulldogs play St. Marys at home. The Roughriders handled Celina 35-6 on Friday night.
The Redskins host Ottawa-Glandorf, a team coming off its first win of the season, 34-18, over Kenton.
Wapakoneta 34, Defiance 9
Defiance 0 21 13 0 – 34
Wapakoneta 0 0 7 2 – 9
Second quarter
W — Caleb Moyer 1-yard run (Ethan Eisert kick), 8:12
W — Kaden Page 69-yard reception (Ethan Eisert kick), 5:59
W — Grant Houser 13-yard reception (Ethan Eisert kick), 0:54
Third quarter
W — Ryan Walter 28-yard INT return (Ethan Eisert kick), 8:57
W — Jarrett Mullen 45-yard run (Ethan Eisert kick failed), 7:07
D — Brady Borton 35-yard reception (Nicasio Hall kick), 3:27
Fourth quarter
D — Safety, 7:43
Passing
Caleb Moyer (W) 16-22, 181 yards, 2 TDs
Brez Zipfel (D) 16-28, 158 yard, TD, 3 INT
Rushing
Jarrett Mullen (W) 5 carries 85 yards, TD
Anthony Wilder (D) 9 carries, 65 yards
Receiving
Kaden Page (W) 7 catches, 90 yards, TD
Brady Borton (D) 1 catch, 35 yards, TD
Total yards
Wapakoneta: 392
Defiance: 264
Reach Chris Howell at 567-242-0468 or on Twitter/X at @Lima_Howell
