Windham puts together an impressive 54-20 win over Stryker
WINDHAM, OH- On Saturday afternoon the Windham Bombers hosted the Stryker Panthers at Ed Liddle Field for an 8-man Northern 8 Conference matchup. Both teams came in having defeated the 2025 State runner up Chalker Wildcats with Stryker winning 24-22 in week 1 and the Bombers taming the Wildcats 54-38 in week 2. As impressive as the Chalker win was for Windham, Saturday proved to be equally if not more impressive as they took down the Panthers in a big way 54-20.
It was a rough start to the game for the Bombers as three straight incompletions forced a three and out punt on their first possession. Stryker would get on the board on their first try going 68 yards in 9 plays capped off by a Dylan Rivas 1-yard touchdown run. The 2 point try was no good as the Panthers took a 6-0 lead.
Windham would counter with a score of their own. After a Stryker personal foul penalty on the third play of the possession moved them up 15 yards, Alex Eye busted through for a 27-yard run inside the five yard line. Two plays later he took it in from a yard out for the touchdown. The 2 point attempt was unsuccessful and we were tied at 6-6 with 4:53 to play in the 1st.
Alex Eye scores from a yard out for Windham
Stryker would fumble on the first play of their next drive turning it back over to the Bombers. They could not take advantage as they went three and out. The Panthers would fumble again on their next possession for a 2nd straight turnover. This time Windham would make them pay. A 13-yard run by Dejuan Ramsey and a 14-yard run from Eye setup a Bryan Smithberger keeper for the score from 8-yards out. The 2 point try was no good and Windham took a 12-6 lead with 2:08 to play in the 1st.
Bryan Smithberger with the 8-yard QB keeper for a touchdown
After an empty Stryker possession the Bombers would score on a big play as Smithberger hit Ramsey on a 65-yard scoring strike down the sideline. The 2 point try was no good and Windham extended their lead to 18-6 early in the 2nd.
Smithberger finds Ramsey for a 65-yard scoring strike
A big play on special teams came next for Windham as they recovered an onside kick at their 44 yard line. From there one play is all they needed as Eye took a handoff 56 yards to the house for his 2nd touchdown of the half. The two point conversion run was good and the Bombers led 26-6.
Each team would throw and interception before the half as Windham took a 26-6 lead into the break.
The Bombers started quarter three with another recovered onside kick. After an Alex Eye 37-yard run, Smithberger would score his 2nd rushing touchdown of the game from 13 yards out. The 2 point pass was good and the Bombers increased the lead to 34-6.
Bryan Smithberger with a 13-yard touchdown run in the 3rd
Stryker would come back with a big pass play as Brantley Shock hit Jacob Ramon on a 52-yard scoring play. The 2 point try was no good as Windham still held a 34-12 lead.
The Bombers would then put together a 7 play, 64 yard drive to counter the Panther score as it was capped off by a Ramsey 22-yard touchdown run. The 2 point try was no good and Windham led 40-12 late in the 3rd.
Dejuan Ramsey scores from 22 yards out late in the 3rd
After the Bomber defense held Stryker on a 4th and 3, it was Ramsey again on the fifth play of the possession scoring from 26-yards out after reversing field for his 3rd touchdown of the game. The 2 point try was no good as the Bombers initiated the running clock up 46-12.
Dejuan Ramsey with his 3rd touchdown of the game
Stryker would get a 60-yard touchdown run from Cody Stewart and Windham a 5-yard scoring run by Aidan Burns for the final score of 54-20 in favor of the Bombers. Back to back impressive wins for Windham as they move to 2-1 on the young season.
Alex Eye ran for 226 yards on 13 carries with 2 touchdowns to earn R&S Landscaping & Excavating Player of the Game honors. Dejuan Ramsey was no slouch himself amassing 170 total yard and 3 touchdowns. Bryan Smithberger threw for a score and rushed for 2 more.
Windham will travel to Holgate on Friday (9/11) as they try for their 3rd straight win.
