By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Updated: Saturday, October 24, 2009 4:08 AM CDT

PARK HILLS — Limited mistakes and balanced offensive execution propelled the Fredericktown football team into the Class 3 playoff hunt, and spoiled an anticipated celebration in Park Hills on Friday night.

Junior quarterback A.P. Lewandowski scored four rushing touchdowns while passing for another, and the Blackcats shredded the Central defense for a season-high 541 total yards in a convincing 55-28 road victory.

Jacob Farmer totaled 195 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, including a 36-yard burst that opened the scoring, as Fredericktown (5-4) collected its fifth win in six games.

Lewandowski was an effective dual-threat with 112 yards on the ground while finishing 7-for-10 passing for 141 yards. The Blackcats also converted several pivotal third-down plays throughout the contest.

Central (7-2) hoped to clinch its first postseason berth since 1976 after defeating Ste. Genevieve last week, but now must defeat top-ranked Potosi on Thursday to maintain even the slightest chance of extending its season.

The Rebels achieved its offensive success exclusively by running the ball. Junior Matt Ketterer compiled 217 yards and two scores on 23 carries, and his elusive 39-yard scamper in the third quarter brought Central within 28-14.

Tyler Friend also logged 23 attempts for 147 yards, and his two-point conversion gave the Rebels their lone advantage of 8-7 after Jaron Bridges punched in an early 3-yard touchdown run.

Fredericktown quickly answered with a scoring drive that originated from its own 13. Lewandowski found open space on a fourth-and-7 scramble, and continued 39 yards to the endzone to regain the lead.

Central failed to cover the ensuing bouncing kickoff, and the Blackcats needed just three plays to capitalize. Lewandowski connected with Ryan Gifford on a 20-yard strike before stretching the football across the goal line on the next play.

The Rebels saw their next possession stall inside the red zone following a costly holding penalty, and Lewandowski tossed a 7-yard pass to Jon O’Neal on fourth-and-goal to make it 28-8 with 42 seconds remaining in the half.

Central had momentum midway through the third quarter after Ketterer had scored, but could not prevent the Blackcats from moving the chains on third-and-18, when Lewandowski again found O’Neal open on a rollout.

Fredericktown matched prolonged drives by Central with explosive rushing plays during the second half. Ketterer cut the margin to 35-20 with a 3-yard run after the teams traded fumbles on back-to-back snaps.

But Farmer followed a downfield block from Wacey Walters and went the distance from 65 yards out, stealing any possibility for a late comeback away from the Rebels.

Lewandowski went 43 yards on another scoring scramble with 10:01 left for a 49-28 spread, and Coley Gray broke through a facemask grab on a 57-yard burst to cap the scoring.

Linebacker Justin Menteer recorded a team-high 13 tackles while battling a nagging shoulder injury, and Brylan Moore added 12 for Fredericktown, which will host Ste. Genevieve on Thursday.

Fredericktown   7  21  14  13 - 55

Central   8   0  12   8 - 28

First quarter:

FRED (7-0) - Farmer 36-yd run (Gifford kick), 10:43

CEN (8-7) - Bridges 3-yd run (Friend run), 2:13

Second quarter:

FRED (15-8) - Lewandowski 39-yd run (Stamp reception), 11:49

FRED (21-8) - Lewandowski 1-yd run (Kick missed), 9:05

FRED (28-8) - O’Neal 7-yd pass from Lewandowski (Gifford kick), 0:42

Third quarter:

CEN (28-14) - Ketterer 39-yd run (Run failed), 8:12

FRED (35-14) - Lewandowski 9-yd run (Gifford kick), 5:30

CEN (35-20) - Ketterer 3-yd run (Run failed), 1:02

FRED (42-20) - Farmer 65-yd run (Gifford kick), 0:11

Fourth quarter:

CEN (42-28) - Calvird 1-yd run (Bridges run), 10:15

FRED (49-28) - Lewandowski 43-yd run (Gifford kick), 10:01

FRED (55-28) - Gray 57-yd run (Kick missed), 2:57