Long runs, defense lead Vandals to big win at Roxana

ROXANA – If Roxana wasn’t some 60 miles away, the Vandals probably just would have run home instead of taking the bus. Piling up 479 rushing yards on 47 carries, the Vandals used three touchdown runs at least 59 yards and a strong defensive performance last Friday night to dispatch South Central Conference rival Roxana, 39-7. Highlighted by a 71-yard touchdown by senior Ryan Ambuehl on the second play of the game and shifty touchdown runs of 59 and 62 yards from senior Tim Ritchey in the second quarter, the overall rushing output ranks No. 2 all-time in school history, while the total offensive output of 483 yards is No. 9 all-time. “Offensively, we did everything that we wanted to do,” said coach John Stout. “The line had a good ballgame, so Tim had a good game and our backs ran well.” In the first three quarters, all but one of Vandalia’s drives ended in a touchdown. There was no scoring for either side in the fourth quarter, Following Ambuehl’s touchdown, the defense forced two tackles for loss, including a fumble on a fourth-down play that gave the offense the ball. For the game, Vandalia (3-1) had eight tackles for loss, the defense’s best output since week one. Senior Jeff Lucken had four solo tackles for loss and assisted on another. “Jeff was very tough in the middle,” Stout said. “We put them behind the chains, and that puts pressure on any offense.” Senior Alex Newsom scored first touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run with 3:23 left in the first quarter. The Shells brought the game back within one score on the next drive, with Levi Wallace scoring on a 1-yard plunge with 9:26 left in the second quarter. Ritchey answered less than a minute later, dodging several tackles on his way to a 59-yard touchdown with 8:37 left in the first half. “I saw the end slanting, so I pulled on a read, then got awesome blocking,” he said. “I could see the end zone, and ran as fast as I could. “People are going to have to key on me a little more, so that could open up some things for other guys. Hopefully, that will also open the passing game.” After forcing Roxana to punt, the Vandals a similar play, and Ritchey raced 62 yards for the end zone to give Vandalia 27-7 lead. “They started clamping on Alex, so Tim kept the ball and went to the house,” Stout said. “We’re becoming harder to defend, even though we didn’t have to throw.” Ritchey completed 1-of-4 passes in the game for 4 yards, and has attempted just 5.25 passes per game. Newsom scored from 13 yards less than 2 minutes into the second half, and after Lucken recovered a fumble, junior C.J. Runkel scored his first career touchdown, a 1-yarder. Reserves on offense played the remainder of the game and provided a decent look to the future. Sophomore Ryan Bayles had a 28-yard run, and junior Dalton Smith had four carries for 29 yards. “They played well,” Stout said. “We have some younger guys who can do some things, so we will see what happens.” Friday, Sept. 14 Vandalia 39 Roxana 7 V: 13-14-12-0—39 R: 0-7-0-0—7 Rushing: Ritchey, 8-163, 2 TD; Ambuehl, 7-112, TD; Newsom, 6-65, 2 TD; Runkel, 7-36, TD; L. Smith, 5-36; D. Smith, 4-29; Ryan Bayles, 1-for-28; Rodney Tedrick, 3-11; Dillon Tate, 2-4; Blake Hankins, 1-0; Collin Nestleroad, 3-(-5); Team, 47-479. Passing: Ritchey, 1-4, 4 yards. Receiving: Newsom, 1-4. Defense: Lucken, 8 tackles, 5 TFL, sack, 3 tackle assists, fumble recovery; Ambuehl, 7 tackles, TFL assist, tackle assist; Levi Carroll, 4 tackles, 3 tackle assists; Colton Evans, 4 tackles, 2 tackle assists; Chase Woolsey, TFL, TFL assist, 3 tackle assists, fumble recovery; Ritchey, INT, pass deflection, tackle, tackle assist; D. Smith, 3 tackles; L. Smith, 2 tackles, TFL assist, 2 tackle assists; Tedrick, TFL assist, tackle; Wade Cowger, 2 tackles, 2 tackle assists; Runkel, tackle, 3 tackle assists; Nestleroad, 2 tackles; Newsom, tackle, tackle assist; Tristin Long, tackle, tackle assist; Bayles, tackle; Dalton Blankenship, tackle.

Senior Tim Ritchey breaks a tackle on his way to one of his two touchdown runs of longer than 59 yards.

Vandalia senior Jeff Lucken (56) records one of his five tackles for loss at Roxana last Friday. He leads the Vandals with 10 such tackles on the season.