By Bill Bray
FREMONT – For the second time in as many weeks, humiliation was with the band of Little Giants at Don Paul Stadium as a 2-5 Toledo St. John’s Titans ran away with a 28-14 TRAC victory.
The Titans held on to the ball for a total of 31:17 to Fremont’s 16:17. St. John’s dominated the line of scrimmage and ran a total of 74 plays to only 43 for the Fremont offense.
Those numbers indicated that the usually strong Ross offensive attack was sputtering. Injuries continued to mount for Ross already having three key players on the sideline in street clothes. Two-way performer Elijah Simms along with linebacker Brayden Guhn and kicker Carter Rodriguez were out of the Ross line up. As if that was not bad enough, Kaden Holmes took a hit during second quarter action resulting in a high ankle bruise. The quarterback continued to play, but with the injury, the running dimension of his own offensive attack was taken away.
Also leaving the game with a knee injury was Holmes’ favorite target Bryson Hammer, Hammer took a hit to the knee and left the game. He did return but not at full speed as his knee was causing him discomfort for the remainder of the night.
“Our offense didn’t click at all the entire night,” coach Chad Long said after the fray. “We had no rhythm. We lost Sims, our spark plug, who didn’t play tonight and with Hammer and Holmes hurting it was just a real struggle.”
St. John’s broke onto the scoreboard first at the 4:45 mark of the first quarter. Quarter back Blake Lichtenberg connected with Tommy Gallagher for a short six-yard pass play. Nick Miller added the extra point, and the Titans were up 7-0.
As time ran out in the first quarter, Holmes found Owen Shanahan on an 82-yard pass play. The fifth longest pass play in Little Giant history. Nifty running by Shanahan helped the play develop and end successfully as time clicked to 0:00. Adam Hrynciw, kicking for an ailing Rodriguez, added the extra point and the game was tied at 7-7.
The Giants, reeling from the rash of injuries, were held scoreless during the second period. A period that had seen them score 73 points in the last six weeks of play.
Meanwhile, St. John’s used another touchdown during the quarter as Lichtenberg connected with Gallagher again to put the Titans up 14-7 at the break.
The Ross attack, which had outscored opponents 76-21 during third quarter action this season, was held in their first drive of the quarter and was forced to punt. Justyn Toler of St. John’s gathered up the Hrynciw punt and broke free for a 79-yard touchdown return with 9:52 remaining.
The Ross offense did gather themselves enough to score on their next possession. Holmes’ found Anthony Vann on a few different pass plays. The final one found Vann in the end zone on the end of a 10-yard pass from Holmes. Hrynciw’s kick shrunk the St. John’s lead down to 21-14. But that was the only bright spot for the offense as seconds continued to become Fremont’s enemy.
With 8:07 remaining St. John’s scored their insurance touchdown and went on to win the game 28-14.
“I think we did ok on defense even though we are missing so many people. But it hurts our offense as well,” Long continued. “You must understand, Bryson Hammer isn’t out there, Kaden Holmes isn’t out there some of the time because of an ankle injury. It deflated our entire team even further when the injury happened to our “Superman””.
Fremont’s “Superman” Holmes ran the ball a total of only six times due to the injury and collected only 31 yards. His passing numbers were helped by Shanahan’s long touchdown run. Holmes ended the night 11 of 25 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Shanahan and Vann were the receiving leaders. Shanahan had two catches for 87 yards and Vann had five receptions for 69 yards.
The defense, once again, was led by Mason Villarreal who finished with 11 tackles including one of his own. But the number that is most impressive for the senior is that he assisted on 20 more tackles. Villarreal filled the void to perfection with the injured Brayden Guhn who will hopefully return next week. Luke Durbin was a presence on the defensive line as he recovered a St. John’s fumble that ended a scoring threat. Durbin’s name was announced on many defensive plays for the Giants.
“We have to have our younger players step up and make plays going forward,” Long said. “As banged up as we are, many changes will have to be made leading up to the Lima Sr. game Friday.”
Lima Sr. (3-4, 0-4) come to Don Paul stadium next week as Ross tries to get their “mojo” back heading into the meat of the schedule the following two weeks.
Bryson Hammer (9) tries to break free during a punt return against St. John’s
Fremont’s Brasen Sims, plays for the bal against a St. John’s receiver during second half action.
Adam Hrynciw (11) congratulates Owen Shanahan after the junior completed an 82 yard pass play for a Fremont Ross touchdown.
Ross junior Luke Durbin (56) recovered a Titans’ fumble during second half action.
Senior Adam Hrynciw (11) stepped up during the contest. The talented Hrynciw played both ways plus was the special teams kicker during the contest.
Senior Mason Villarreal was Fremont’s defensive standout as he played four quarters of football the way it is supposed to be played.
Bryson Hammer (hidden) is led off the field by offensive coordinator Ed Baptista after the senior went down with a leg injury.
Kaden Holmes (1) deflects a St. John’s pass during first quarter action Friday night.
Karson Kayden (8) makes a tackle during early action.
Anthony Vann (22) looks to the sideline as the offense gets instruction from the coaches. Vann scored on a 10-yard pass from Holmes seconds later.
TRAC Scored
Toledo St John’s 28, Fremont Ross 14
Toledo Central Catholic 55, Oregon Clay 7
Toledo Whitmer 55, Lima Sr. 6
Findlay 38, Toledo St. Francis 14