Roussell’s return sparks West Delaware

MANCHESTER — West Delaware has played the last month without its biggest threat in the backfield.

The Hawks' junior running back Coy Roussell had rushed for just under 1,000 yards through six weeks when he was sidelined by mononucleosis.

Roussell returned to the lineup and provided a spark, including a 47-yard touchdown run, as seventh-ranked West Delaware upended No. 3 Solon in the second of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A playoffs last night at Brown Field.

Roussell led the Hawks (10-1) with 89 rushing yards in his first game back since Oct. 3. West Delaware Coach said he found out at 2 p.m. that Roussell was cleared to play.

'We're just thrilled to have him back,' Winkowitsch said. 'He was a great presence for us. This was a big night for him to be able to come back and move on.'

Roussell cut Solon's lead to 7-6 with his 47-yard scamper on his second carry of the game, converting a Solon fumble in West Delaware territory into a score.

Winkowitsch said Roussell has been idle for last month, getting some weight room work in the last week. He said with a question on Roussell's stamina other players needed to contribute, even though Roussell rushed 18 times..

'We knew he was going to get a little tired,' Winkowitsch said. 'He hadn't done anything for about five weeks. We knew we had to utilize some other kids and they came up big for us.'

Brent Lammers put the hawks up 12-7 with a 69-yard TD pass to Trent Curley, who caught the long pass tipped ball off a Solon defender's fingers and bolted for the end zone.

Big plays and defense helped West Delaware pull away in the second half. Max Ridenour and Austin Bishop accounted for the only second-half scores. Ridenour put West Delaware up 20-14 with a 35-yard touchdown and Bishop had a 61-yard TD run. Roussell and Lammers added two-point conversions.

'We can go anywhere with the ball we want to,' Lammers said. 'We have playmakers all over the field. Coy really helps us out.'

The defense shut out Solon in the second half, holding the Spartans to just 14 rushing yards. They turned the tide with a goal-line stand on Solon's first possession of the third when the Spartans had first-and-goal from the 2.

'Our defensive play in the second half, I can't say enough about it,' Winkowitsch said. 'They had some good field position but our kids came up and made some big stops.'

Brandon Childs led the Spartans with 218 passing yards and two TDs, including a 32-yard strike to Halston Durr for a 7-0 lead and a 25-yard TD to Jacob Coons in the final minute of the first half for a 14-12 edge at the break.

The Spartans finished 9-2.

'We didn't have a lot of experience coming back,' Miller said. 'We had a lot of inexperience. This group did a nice job of leading. I couldn't be more proud with their leadership. It's just sad to go out that way. Not on our terms. Not playing our best.'

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