Williamsburg matches high expectations with another trip to the UNI-Dome

WILLIAMSBURG — For the third time in four seasons, Williamsburg is headed to the UNI-Dome. The Class 2A second-ranked Raiders mastered the elements and dominated from start to finish, beating Centerville 35-0 Friday night at Williamsburg.

For Williamsburg Coach Curt Rithie, who ranks 10th in the state for most career wins for an active coach, it’s the Raiders’ 20th playoff appearance in his 22nd season. A tradition has been established, one that the current iteration continues to build on.

“It’s been an amazing ride,” Ritchie said. “These guys have looked up to a lot of amazing teams. They’ve had high expectations since Day 1.”

This was a rematch for the District 6 foes. In a Week 5 meeting, the Raiders (11-0) were in a tight game with the Big Reds late in the first half before seizing momentum in a 55-7 victory.

“Centerville is a team playing with a lot of momentum,” Ritchie said. “They represent the district tremendously. You could see their confidence building on tape and that’s always a little concerning.”

This time around, there was no drama.

The rain and wind made the passing game moot. Winning the line of scrimmage and limiting mistakes was key. The Raiders did both.

Centerville (8-3) quarterback Brody Tuttle entered the night with 1,312 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. Anytime Tuttle tucked the ball away, he ran straight into a wall of black jerseys. The Raiders forced three-and-out after three-and-out when they weren’t forcing five turnovers.

“Our defensive line is outstanding,” Williamsburg lineman Kye Goodell said. “Owen Douglas is fantastic. Gavin Doehrmann is so spectacular. Our linebackers are outstanding too.”

Williamsburg didn’t pile on the yards. It didn’t need to. The Raider offense continuously found itself with a short field.

Forcing a three-and-out on the first possession, Williamsburg took over at the Centerville 48 following a short punt. The Raiders picked up a pair of third-down conversions to enter the red zone. Facing fourth-and-1 from the 16, Williamsburg quarterback Carson Huedepohl rolled left and followed his blockers into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 7:13 remaining in the first quarter.

Late in the quarter, the sloppy conditions proved problematic for the Big Reds for the first time. The punt snap was bobbled and Derek Weisskopf hit punter Drennen Moorman, jarring the ball loose.

Taking over at the Centerville 28, Huedepohl found more success on the left side, picking up gains of 11 and 8. He scored from 3 yards out.

The Raiders put the game away during the second quarter. With 7:47 remaining in the half, the Big Reds moved the chains for the first time. Any momentum disappeared on the next snap as Kyle Goodell pounced on a Centerville fumble at the Big Reds 23. Huedepohl ran it in from 11 yards out for his third score.

For the second straight possession, Goodell fell on a fumble. This time at the Big Reds 22.

“The ball looked big on the ground,” Goodell said. “I was like ‘go for it, give it your all.’ I jumped on the ball.”

From the 11, Huedepohl drew the defense in with a step toward the line of scrimmage and lofted a jump pass to a wide-open Weisskopf, giving the Raiders a 28-0 lead at the half.

On Centerville’s first possession of the second half, Huedepohl picked off Tuttle, setting up the Raiders’ final score.

Williamsburg outgained the Big Reds 213-58, holding Centerville to four first downs.

On a collision course with the UNI-Dome all season, the Raiders have punched their ticket.

“It’s probably a relief in some ways,” Ritchie said. “These guys have been kind of destined since seventh grade. They’ve always won, always had high expectations.”

Williamsburg 35, Centerville 0

Centerville 0 0 0 0 - 0

Williamsburg 14 14 7 0 - 35

W – Carson Huedepohl 16 run (Logan Rethwisch kick).

W – Huedepohl 3 run (Rethwisch kick).

W – Huedepohl 11 run (Rethwisch kick).

W – Derek Weisskopf 11 pass from Huedepohl (Rethwisch kick).

W – Owen Douglas 4 run (Rethwisch kick).

C, W

First Downs 4, 13

Rushes-Yards 35-57, 46-194

Comp-Att-Int 1-9-1, 2-6-0

Pass Yards 1, 19

Total Yards 58, 213

Penalties-Yards 0-0, 3-30

Fumbles-Lost 3-3, 4-1

Punts-Avg 6-32.7, 3-36.3

Rushing – Centerville: Conner Stephens 3-8, Brody Tuttle 21-51, Sam Hash 4-3, Drennen Moorman 1-minus-15, Landon McGrann 5-8, Isaac Messamaker 1-2. Williamsburg: Carson Huedepohl 19-102, Rayce Heitman 2-6, Gable Dayton 9-43, Owen Douglas 11-38, Madox Doehrmann 1-1, Clayten Steckly 1-minus-1, Nile Sinn 2-4, Cael Moore 1-1.

Passing – Centerville: Tuttle 1-8-1-2, McGrann 0-1-0-0. Williamsburg: Huedepohl 2-5-19-0, Grant Hocker 0-1-0-0.

Receiving – Centerville: Griffin Weber 1-1. Williamsburg: Derek Weisskopf 1-11, Heitman 1-8.