SAINT PETER -- If Quentin Dudley was looking to assert more control as quarterback for the Worthington Trojans football team Friday at Saint Peter, his task was a success.
Dudley ran for 59 yards and threw for 42 more, accounting for two touchdowns, as the Trojans tossed a 27-0 shutout of the Saints, moving their record to 2-1 on the season.
After failing to score on its first drive of the game, Worthington forced a fumble by Scott Myhra on first-and-10, leading to a recovery by the Trojans. Seven plays later, Dudley capped off a 39-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Ransom, putting WHS up 7-0.
The Trojans defense then rose up and stopped the Saints on fourth down from the WHS 26, and proceeded to drive 74 yards in nine plays. Nate Stoll, who finished with 112 yards on 20 attempts, capped the drive with a 37-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 14-0.
In the second half, Dudley then scored a TD of his own, taking the first play following a botched punt snap four yards for a touchdown, giving WHS a 21-0 advantage with 2:34 left in the third.
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Then, with the game long decided, Corey Steffl took a handoff up the middle, then bounced to the outside and ran in for a 10-yard touchdown. The snap for the extra point was bad, and the resulting run was short of the end zone, leading to the final score.
Worthington's ground assault was profound and direct. Rushing the ball a total of 52 times in the game, the Trojans piled up an impressive 345 yards. Dudley rushed for 59 yards on nine carries for second-best on the team, while Neal Melton picked up 58 yards on six tries.
What really stood out in the game, though, was the Worthington defense. Saint Peter (0-3) was never able to get anything sustained going -- especially in the passing game. Quarterback Marc Steidler was 1-for-6 passing for 13 yards, his lone completion coming in the third quarter on a pass to Jeff Walter.
The run defense was just as effective. Worthington, against 36 rushes, allowed 120 yards. Scott Gunderson led the Saints, gaining 61 yards on 14 carries.
Worthington hosts Jackson County Central next Friday.
WHS 7 7 7 6 -- 27
SP 0 0 0 0 -- 0
