Branson Combs passed his childhood football idol in career receiving yards as Memorial rolled over Owensboro Catholic.
EVANSVILLE – When Branson Combs was a little kid, his hero on the football field was Jon Wandling.
The former wide receiver was one of the all-time greats for Memorial. He was part of two state runner-up teams and held every major receiving record for the Tigers. That is until Combs stepped onto Enlow Field.
In an otherwise ho-hum game, the Memorial senior put his name atop the records books. Combs caught five passes for 91 yards and two scores in a 49-21 victory over Owensboro Catholic on Saturday night in the Border Bowl presented by the Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union.
Combs is now the record holder for career receiving yards with 2,423. He also tied Wandling for career receiving touchdowns with 26.
Memorial coach John Hurley is blessed to have coached both receivers. He began his head coaching career in 2008 when Wandling was a junior.
Hurley surely won't go on record saying who is better. But Combs now has the edge in two categories. He passed Wandling for career receptions last season.
The first score came on Memorial's opening drive. With 6:36 left in the first quarter, Lindauer looked to his right and flung the ball towards Combs.
It was nearly intercepted, but the 6-foot-3 receiver snagged the ball from the defender for a touchdown.
The game turned into a rout quickly. Defensive lineman Austin Jones picked off a pass and took it to the house for a score. Lindauer capped the first quarter with a 14-yard score to Finn McCool in the corner of the end zone.
Touchdown runs by Lindauer and Darrius Johnson pushed the advantage to 35-0 with five minutes left in the first half. An 18-yard touchdown to Combs late in the second quarter tied Wandling for the record.
The Tigers kept their starters in for one series in the second half. Lindauer made it count with a dazzling, 19-yard run for his final touchdown. The senior quarterback finished 17 of 24 passing for 230 yards and five total touchdowns (three passing).
It was a much cleaner performance by Memorial compared to last week. Less drops and penalties.
What didn't change was the stellar play of the defense. The Tigers held the Aces to 229 total yards and only 59 on the ground. Owensboro Catholic eventually got on the scoreboard late, but it came against the second and third string of Memorial.
The Tigers' defense continues to be one of the best units in the state.
Johnson totaled 122 yards on the ground for Memorial (2-0), who opens conference play at North (0-2). Drew Hartz had 170 yards on 9 of 23 passing for Owensboro Catholic.