By KEITH WARVIE
The Evening Leader

To say Kenton is an explosive team is an understatement.

The Wildcats are a powerful pride an opponent anytime from anywhere on the field.

Kenton used its quick-striking ability to overwhelm St. Marys 55-29 in Western Buckeye League action Friday night.

"I think in a nut shell, tonight pointed out all the things we need to do to rebuild this program," St. Marys head coach Doug Frye said. "You can't win football games making the mistakes we made.

"If anyone is searching for someone to blame that would be St. Marys head football coach Doug Frye. I will guarantee that we will work hard to improve. I feel a strong obligation to the program and community."

The loss spoiled the annual Homecoming celebration for the Roughriders and their fans.

The Wildcats had seven plays of over 20 yards en route to a 35-14 halftime lead. Kenton scored on four of its five possessions in the opening half.

Quarterback Matt McCullough connected on passes of 28 and 36 yards to set up the Wildcats' first score. Nick Hurley capped off the drive with a 3-yard run to tie the score at 7-7.

Two more aerials from McCullough for 24 and 41 yards on the next possession put the Wildcats back in scoring position at the St. Marys nine. Jason Jones scored on a reverse to put Kenton on top 13-7.

The Wildcats' defense got into the act late in the opening period. Matt Dudek scooped up a fumble and raced 38 yards to make it 21-7 after one.

An 87-yard kick return set up Kenton's fourth touchdown. McCullough connected with T.J. Metzger on the very next to to extend the lead to 28-14.

Metzger closed out the first half scoring with a 39-yard run. Metzger had 216 yards on 19 carries.

The Wildcats' four scoring drives took a mere 6:25. None of Kenton's touchdowns took more than seven plays.

St. Marys was able to match the Wildcats big-play for big-play early in the half. A 45-yard run by Brandon Meyer and a 24-yard pass from John Meinerding to Jason Homan put the Roughriders deep in Kenton's end early in the first period.

Meinerding's 2-yard plunge put St. Marys in front 7-0. Bob Huttis' 47-yard run set up a touchdown by Ken Williams that cut Kenton's lead to 21-14.

But the Wildcats struck quickly again to open the second half. A 21-yard burst by Metzger put the Wildcats ahead 41-14 and ended the competitive phase of the game.

Joe Young and Stewart Lengerich scored the final two touchdowns for the Roughriders. Lengerich came in late in the contest and gained 62 yards on just four attempts.

"I thought the jayvees did an exceptional job at the end of the game," Frye said.

Huttis added 103 yards on the ground in 15 carries. Meyer had 75 yards on 19 totes for the Roughriders.