By Andrew Bell
The Wooster Fighting Scots returned home for a contest against NCAC rival, the Kenyon Owls. The Black and Gold dominated both sides of the ball as the Scots won their tenth consecutive game against the Owls in style, scoring 70 points against Kenyon — the most points scored in a game in 19 years. Both the offense and defense played nearly textbook football. Frank Colaprete, the Scots’ Head Coach, exclaimed, “I’m so proud of the way everyone played …. This team has been relentless and resilient all year, so it’s good for us to come and give that effort. This win feels really good!”
Wooster opened their first offensive series with an explosive three-play scoring drive in just over the first minute of play. Jarvis Mims Jr. ’26 had an impressive first down run which set up a scoring pass from Chandon Lee ’26 to Tate Journell ’26. However, the Owls answered with a 65 yard touchdown run up the middle by running back Drake Lewis ’25. Wooster’s offense was ready and staged their next drive with even more momentum on a 44-yard pass to Journell. A facemask penalty against Kenyon then set up a Mims Jr. 5-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing kickoff, kicker Al Hastick IV ’27 pinned Kenyon deep in their own territory when Dominic Simpson ’27, the Owls’ returner, kneeled at their own 1-yard line. Wooster’s defense amped up the heat as Langston Williams ’24 flew into the backfield and forced a fumble. Wyatt Wilkie ’27 pounced and scored to extend the Scots’ lead to 21-7. Kenyon’s next drive ended with a decisive fourth down stop at Wooster’s 9-yard line. However, the Owls forced Wooster to punt and struck back with a 73-yard touchdown run by Jordan Benjamin ’26. After a first quarter filled with back and forth scoring, the Scots led 21-14.
Starting from their own 40-yard line to start the second quarter, the Scots engineered another touchdown drive. This was set up by a 43-yard reception from Sebestyen Balassy ’24. Following a three and out on the ensuing Kenyon possession, Shakir Perkins ’26 jogged into the end zone untouched to give the Scots a 35-14 lead.
Wooster’s next offensive possession featured a running spree by Mims Jr. Lee’s 8-yard pass to Gadler set up a touchdown run by Mims Jr. Kenyon followed with minimal ball movement, and Wooster had the ball back with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Jordan Lewis ’26 had a massive catch and run to the Kenyon 17-yard line. Mims Jr. was not done for the half and scored on a touchdown catch over the middle. Kenyon hustled in the closing seconds of the first half but were stopped by defensive back Williams ’24 stuffing Kenyon’s running back in the backfield to maintain a 49-14 Wooster halftime lead.
Kenyon started the second half on offense and found paydirt on a fourth down quarterback rush. Nick Bostic ’26 received the short kick off to begin Wooster’s opening third quarter offense, but the Scots were forced to punt from their 26-yard line after almost no gain in three plays. Kenyon fought back on a time-eating drive which was led by a clutch quarterback scramble for a first down. However, offensive penalties and a fourth down stop by Wyatt Harris ’26 and the Wooster defense forced a turnover on downs.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Scots picked up 49 yards on a pass from Lee to Lewis and scored on a third down pass to Journell. The Scots led 56-21 with 12:30 left in the final quarter. Kenyon began at their 25-yard line and immediately threw an interception to defensive lineman Neil Clayton ’24 who lumbered into the end zone with the Scots’ ninth touchdown. Clayton reflected on his first thoughts when the ball was in his hands, “I was so lost, confused, and excited all at the same time. I thought, ‘just go for it.’”
The Owls began with excellent field position but could not move the ball away from the mid-field. Wooster began from their 15-yard line after a fourth down quick kick. Now, it was time for Shakir Perkins ’26 to shine. Perkins had a first down run to the 40-yard line. He then ran through the hole for a 39-yard pickup to the Kenyon 21-yard line. Perkins kept pushing, leading to a tenth Scots touchdown. A deflated Kenyon offense took the field against the Wooster defense. Jayden Taylor ’27 put icing on the cake with a midfield interception. The Scots’ dominant performance on offense, defense and special teams led to a memorable 70-21 victory for Wooster football.
The Fighting Scots head to Wabash College for a 2:00 pm game on Saturday, Oct. 7.
