Turnovers sink Dunkirk in opener against Depew
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DUNKIRK -- Winning the turnover battle is usually a recipe for success. That was the case for Depew on Friday in the season-opening contest between the Dunkirk Marauders and the Depew Wildcats.
Three Dunkirk fumbles through the first 15 minutes of play doomed the Marauders on Friday at Karl Hoeppner Athletic Field. The visiting Depew Wildcats defeated the Dunkirk Marauders, 42-0, in a Section VI, Class B2 football game on Friday at Dunkirk High School.
"You can't fumble the ball inside the red zone and expect it to go well," said Dunkirk Head Coach Edwin Gomez. "Those are mistakes we can't afford to make."
The Marauders defense limited a talented Depew offense through the first half of Friday's game at Karl Hoeppner Athletic Field, only allowing one touchdown that came on a short field through the first two periods of play.
"I think defensively, we played a phenomenal game," Gomez said, highlighting the first half. "I think our defense has a lot of potential ... granted, the scoreboard might not have shown it."
The problem wasn't the defense. It was Dunkirk's ball security.
All three Dunkirk (0-1, 0-1) fumbles in the first 15 minutes led to points, including two fumble returns for touchdowns. The visiting Wildcats built a three-score lead by the break, 21-0.
"Offensively, we had our woes," Gomez said. "We've got to figure out how to mesh a little bit better."
The second half was a different script, but the same ending, as the Wildcats struck within the opening minute. First, Depew (1-0, 1-0) returned the opening kick beyond midfield. Then, Zach Bridenbaker, the leading returning rusher in Section VI this season, broke free down the Depew sideline to set the Wildcats up in the red zone. On the next play, Kole Szratter found Luis Ayala for a touchdown to put Depew up 28-0 less than a minute into the second half.
Less than five minutes later, Bridenbaker broke free again near midfield and took it all the way to the house. With 6:32 left in the third quarter, the Depew lead was extended to 35-0.
Dunkirk's defense was unable to keep up the pace it had in the first half. Multiple players were cramping throughout the game, especially in the second half.
"We started dropping like flies," Gomez said. "Our injuries and cramping definitely played a major factor into all of that. ... I'll take that to the chin."
The Wildcats added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to punctuate the victory, 42-0.
Dunkirk rotated quarterbacks throughout the game, starting with Matthew Dolce, then Joshua Pacheco, and finishing with Aries Cheverez. After the game, Gomez said the decision for next week has not been made yet, as the team will look for ways to utilize its athletes in the best spots together. Pacheco also saw time at running back and Cheverez played in the backfield as a running back and out wide as a receiver. Cheverez also returned kicks and started at safety.
"We're going to have to look back and see where somebody fits elsewhere," Gomez said.
Dunkirk will travel to Pioneer next Friday, while Depew will host Olean. Both games are Class B2 contests.