Rossford’s Colton Hoskins Rossford tries to get past Port Clinton defender Tre Armendariz at Jackson Ferguson Stadium Friday. (Lee Welch | Sentinel-Tribune)
By Yaneek Smith
Special to the Tribune
ROSSFORD — Very little went right for Rossford on Friday, and the Bulldogs found out the hard way just how good Port Clinton was in the Redskins’ 43-7 victory at Jackson Ferguson Stadium.
Port Clinton (2-0) outgained Rossford (1-1) in total yards by a margin of 499-112, and dominated all facets of the game.
The Redskins scored midway through the first quarter when Wyatt Yarbrough connected with Wyatt Siefke on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give Port Clinton the lead for good at 6-0.
In the second quarter, Malakii Pinkelton scored on an eight-yard run, and Boe Mominee’s extra point pushed the lead to 13-0.
Yarbrough hit Gavin Cornell for a 22-yard touchdown later in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs answered with an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jayden Martens. Alex Vargo’s kick cut the deficit to 19-7.
But Port Clinton, which could’ve chosen to run out the clock, responded late in the first half when Yarbrough hit Briar Rohrer for a short pass that he took the rest of the way down the left sideline for a 71-yard score, giving the ‘Skins a 25-7 lead at halftime.
Rossford coach Todd Drusback said the defeat was a blow after the Bulldogs opened the season last week with a win.
“That was tough,” Drusback said. “We were concerned with their athletes getting out in space, and they made a lot of big plays. They outplayed us, out-coached us. It’s very disappointing.”
Early in the third quarter, Port Clinton drove 60 yards in five plays, and the possession ended with Yarbrough hooking up with Cornell for a seven-yard touchdown.
Rossford proceeded to drive 51 yards in 13 plays, but the drive stalled, and the ‘Skins took over on downs.
If it hadn’t already, Port Clinton effectively put the game away on the ensuing drive when Yarbrough hit Rohrer in stride on a short pass that he took 68 yards for a touchdown, making it 37-7.
Pinkelton added some insurance points when he scored on a 53-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
Ronald Hawkins IV led Rossford with 65 rushing yards and Angel Selvera had four tackles and one assist to lead the defense. Rossford plays Evergreen next Friday.
“We have to get better, get tougher,” said Drusback. “We need to block, tackle and do a better job in all facets of the game. We better bring energy and toughness and resiliency in all facets of the game this week (at practice). We have to get better. We’ve got a lot to clean up.”
