By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Assumption played host to a tough Loyal High School squad on Thursday night, and fell 18-0 in a defensive battle.

In their first conference game of the year, the Royals took on the Loyal Greyhounds, still without their star quarterback Jake Sullivan. Filling in for him was running back Teddy Ashbeck, who completed two passes on the night, but gave way to two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Loyal’s Devin Witt opened the game up early with a rushing touchdown to put the Greyhounds up 6-0. Without the passing strength of Sullivan, the Royals found some difficulty moving the football, but threatened deep in the opponent’s territory on multiple occasions. The score would remain 6-0 through halftime, and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Loyal dropped in a second touchdown, adding one more late in the game to make it 18-0, where the score would stand.

Teddy Ashbeck led the way for the Royals, picking up 77 yards on 24 rushes. Aden Elsen and Cole Statz combined for over 50 yards on a night where Assumption put up 153 total rushing yards.

Assumption looks to rebound next week at Athletic Park in Wausau when they take on Athens.