Published: October 04, 2008 01:32 am         

PREP FOOTBALL: Rowe rips Bearcats in return

Big offensive night helps Logansport end 3-game skid

MUNCIE — Logansport quarterback Derek Rowe missed two games after tearing his hip flexor four weeks ago against Huntington North.

Rowe returned to action Friday night and Muncie Central paid the price.

Rowe took the opening snap, faked a handoff and sprinted around the right corner into open space for a 79-yard touchdown that set the tone Friday night in a 42-6 Logansport victory over Central.

“Because of the way our season’s gone, we figured we’d see him,” Central coach John Hochstetler said.

The elusive Rowe rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He and fullback Derrick McQuiston provided the Berries (4-3, 2-3 in North Central Conference) with a thunder-and-lightning attack. McQuiston plowed his way to 116 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Overall, Logansport rushed for 394 yards and five touchdowns on 44 carries.

“One of the things we like to do is run the football. It’s no secret,” Logansport coach Bucky Kramer said.

The Berries threw the ball only once in the game and that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Rowe to Wilmer McGill that put Logansport up 14-0 in the opening minute of the second quarter.

Central (1-6, 1-4 NCC) capitalized on a Logansport turnover to cut the deficit to eight midway through the second quarter. Linebacker William McIntosh scooped up a fumble and returned the ball 62 yards for what proved to be the lone Central score.

Rowe seized momentum back for Logansport on the next possession. He scored on a 29-yard run with nine seconds left in the half and Garrett Baldini tacked on the extra point to put the Berries up 21-6 at halftime.

The Bearcats shored up their tackling and held the Berries in check on two possessions in the third quarter, but their offense wilted at the hands of the physical Logansport defense.

Central totaled only 194 yards of offense and twice turned the ball over on downs just outside the red zone as the Berries’ defense denied the Bearcats an offensive touchdown in the contest.

“We get down there and come away with nothing, but their defense is pretty good and that’s part of it,” Hochstetler said.

Logansport blew the game open in the fourth quarter, rushing for three touchdowns.

The Berries snapped a three-game losing streak and handed Central its fourth straight loss in the process.