Zeps top Cougars in a wild one, 47-35
By Joe Davis,jdavis@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
SARAHSVILLE - While quarterback Cody Johnson and speedy receiver Wes Rataiczak provided the high-octane flair, John Hronec added the gritty ground game to power Shenandoah to a 47-35 victory over Frontier in a Pioneer Valley Conference shootout Friday.
Overall, it was quite a way to open the season as the two squads combined for 772 yards in total offense.
Johnson hit Rataiczak on consecutive passes for 37 and 20 yards in the first minute and 18 seconds to get the scoring underway. Johnson would later connect with Adam Yniquez and Chad Farmer on subsequent TD strikes and also break off a 29-yard touchdown run. Yet, the Zeps couldn't quite shake the pesky Cougars, who got a scintillating 85-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Binegar as the Shenandoah defender went all out for the interception attempt.
Sophomore running back Reid Tilton also contributed a pair of touchdown runs for Frontier in the first half, covering one and 11 yards.
A 44-yard strike from Fickiesen to senior wide out Justin Ross capped the first-half scoring exploits, pulling the Cougars within 28-27.
Shenandoah dominated the third period, however, with Rataiczak scoring again on a 39-yard TD play from Johnson and Hronec bulling his way up the middle on a 15-yard touchdown jaunt.
Hronec capped a 19-play series as he burst through from two yards out to put the Zeps up 47-27 midway through the fourth quarter.
"It was just my (offensive) line," Hronec said. "We made some adjustments at halftime and they just made the holes for me."
Hronec certainly didn't shy away from contact.
"(I'll run over people) if they get in my face," he said.
Frontier would not go quietly as Ross, in motion from his left wide receiver slot, took the quick handoff from Fickiesen and fired a 62-yard pass play to Tyler Binegar. That play set up a one-yard TD plunge by Fickiesen for the Cougars' last touchdown.
"I think we kind of underestimated them," Hronec said of Frontier. "But they're not a bad team."
Hopefully, we can do a better job catching the ball," Shenandoah head coach Tim Wilson said. "That's our offense. We're going to trty to open it up and air it out a likttle bit and let the receivers catch the ball and run.
Wilson was pleased with his offensive line work in general.
"I challenged them at halftime, and they stepped up and took over the game," Wiulson said. "I told them the game was going to be won in the trenches."
n NEXT GAMES: COUGARS at Waterford, 7:30 p.m., Friday; ZEPS at Union Local, 7:30 p.m., Friday.
Shenandoah 47, Frontier 35
Frontier62108-35
Shenandoah217136-47
First quarter
S - Wes Rataiczak 20 pass from Cody Johnson (Johnson kick), 10:42.
S - Adam Yniquez 5 pass from Johnson (pass failed), 7:33.
F - Reid Tilton 1 run (kick failed), 4:40.
S - Cody Farmer 36 pass from Johnson (Brandon Starr run), 2:02.
Second quarter
F - Tyler Binegar 85 pass from Corey Fickiesen (Tilton pass from Fickiesen), 7:18.
F - Tilton 11 run (Tilton kick), 5:09.
S - Johnson 29 run (Johnson kick), 1:31.
F - Justin Ross 44 pass from Fickiesen (kick failed), 0:23.5.
Third quarter
S - Rataiczak 39 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick), 6:12.
S - John Hronec 15 run (pass failed), 4:37.
Fourth quarter
S - Hornec 2 run (run failed), 6:29.
F - Fickiesen 1 run (Ryan Neader run) 5:45.
Team Statistics
Frontier: First downs 12. Rushes-yards 16-35. Passing yards 255. Total yards 290. PC-PA-Int. 9-31-2. Penalties-yards 2-20. Fumbles-lost 5-2. Punts-avg. 4-15.
Shenandoah: First downs 22. Rushes-yards 40-213. Passing yards 268. Total yards 482. PC-PA-Int. 18-34-3. Penalties-yards 8-75. Fumbles-lost 2-1. Punts-avg. 3-30.3.
Individual leaders:
Frontier: Rushing - Corey Fickiesen 9-13, one touchdown; Reid Tilton 3-13, two touchdowns; Ryan Neader 2-5; Levi Zartman 2-5; Passing - Corey Fickiesen 8-30-2 for 193; Justin Ross 1-1-0 for 62 yards; Receiving - Tyler Binegar 4-175, one touchdown.
Shenandoah - Rushing - John Hronec 20-104, two touchdowns; Cody Johnson 12-85, one touchdown; Wes Rataiczek 2-8; Cody Farmer 4-14;Brandon Starr 2-2; Passing - Cody Johnson 18-24-3 for 268 yards; Receiving - Wes Rataiczak 10-176, two touchdowns; Adam Yniquez 1-5, one touchdown; Cody Farmer 5-65, one touchdown; Brandon Starr 1-4.
