Pandora-Gilboa’s Andrew Miller runs down the sideline as Leipsic’s Ty Lammers (13) and Grant David (21) look to bring him down on Friday night.
Nate Reynolds | The Lima News
LEIPSIC — Pandora-Gilboa used a steady ground game to spoil Homecoming night in Leipsic with a 21-18 win at John Edwards Field on Friday night.
Andrew Miller led the attack for the Rockets with 23 carries for 134 yards and Ben Burkholder contributed 74 yards on 14 carries.
Both teams stalled out on their opening drive.
Leipsic cracked the scoreboard with just over a minute left in the first quarter when quarterback Marc Kirkendall hit Jayce Brecht with an 18-yard pass, capping a 10-play, 80-yard drive.
Pandora-Gilboa stalled out again on its next possession, but Lane Lee picked up a fumble at the Rockets’ 48-yard line, setting up a 10-play sequence that put the Rockets up 7-6.
Miller bulled in from six yards out to complete the drive.
The Rockets (2-2, 1-1 BVC) continued to lean on the running game in the second half.
Starting at their own 26, the Rockets culminated a 9-play series with a 9-yard run from Ben Burkholder to make it 14-6 at the 8:11 mark.
The Vikings (2-2, 2-1 BVC) responded with a touchdown from Kirkendall to Ty Lammers in the left side of the end zone from four yards out.
Kirkendall finished the game 15 of 21 for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He hit Lammers three times for 54 yards.
With the score at 14-12, Pandora-Gilboa put together a 15-play, 55-yard drive to extend its lead. Gerten fought his way through the final yard to put the Rockets in front 21-12 with 9:48 left.
Leipsic’s final touchdown was another from Kirkendall to Lammers with 4:57 left.
On their ensuing possession, the Rockets utilized Burkholder and a full-house backfield to drain the rest of the clock and secure the victory.
Pandora-Gilboa racked up 290 total yards compared to 295 from Leipsic. The Rockets had five penalties for 50 yards and the Vikings committed three penalties for 20 yards.
Score by Quarters
Pandora-Gilboa 0 7 7 7 – 21
Leipsic 6 0 6 6 – 18
Scoring Summary
LP – Jayce Brecht 18-yard reception from Marc Kirkendall (kick failed) — 1:00, 1st
PG – Andrew Miller 6-yard run (Paul Fischer kick) — 4:18, 2nd
PG – Ben Burkholder 9-yard run (Fischer kick) — 8:11, 3rd
LP – Ty Lammers 4-yard reception from Marc Kirkendall (pass failed) — 5:05, 3rd
PG – Cory Gerten 1-yard run (Fischer kick) — 9:48, 4th
LP – Ty Lammers 9-yard reception from Marc Kirkendall (pass failed) — 4:57, 4th
Team Stats
Pandora-Gilboa Leipsic
18 First downs 16
290 Total yards 295
43-207 Rushes-yards 22-70
83 Passing yards 225
0 Interceptions 0
0-0 Fumbles-lost 2-1
5-50 Penalties-yards 3-20
2-37.5 Punts-Aver. 0-0
Passing
P-G — Cory Gerten 9/11, 83 yards
LP — Marc Kirkendall 15/21, 225 yards 3TDs
Rushing
P-G — Andrew Miller 23 carries, 134 yards
LP — Quinn Westhoven 6 carries, 35 yards
Receiving
P-G — Ben Burkholder 3 receptions, 38 yards
LP — Jayce Brecht 7 carries, 119 yards
Dave Boninsegna wrote this story for LimaScores.com
