Wynford's defense recorded its fourth shut out of the season during its 24-0 victory over Loudonville in in a Division V, Region 19 regional quarterfinal contest Saturday night.
"The defense was awesome," coach Gabe Helbert said. We went to a 50 this week and we've been a 4-3 team for however many years and it's a credit to our kids and a credit to our defensive staff. We've had to rely on the them all year and tonight they came up huge. "
The Royals also came up with yet another red zone stop, holding the Redbirds from the 4-yard line on a fourth down in the third quarter.
"If we get into the endzone now it's a 10 point game and momentum swings, and down there it's a battle of wills and tonight they won," Loudonville coach Justin Todd said.
The crowd erupted when Royals German exchange student Robbi Sielski nailed a 31-yard field goal on his first attempt of the season to give the Royals a 10-0 lead with 6:28 remaining in the first half. He also went 3-for-3 on extra point attempts.
Alec Miller came up with an interception in the first quarter which set up Wynford's first scoring drive. Brock Williamson connected with Gage Roe on a 73 yard pass on a third-and-15 situation to take a 7-0 lead.
The Royals opened up the second quarter with a scoring drive when Adam Hartz hooked up with Evan Snode on a 58-yard touchdown pass, making it 17-0. Hartz found Snode again late in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard touchdown pass to take a 24-0 lead.
The Redbirds amassed only 144 yards -- all rushing -- and were led by Kolton Edmondson with 89 yards on 23 carries.
Wynford advances to play Lucasville Valley in a rematch from last season, when the Royals beat the Indians to win a regional championship.
