SIDNEY — As both Bellefontaine and Sidney ripped off large chunks of yards, it became apparent in the second half that the team able to come up with a clutch defensive stop would prevail here Thursday night.
Bellefontaine’s Ty Leeper, left, and Declan Ashcraft try to bring down Sidney’s Darren Taborn during Thursday’s game at Sidney High School. (EXAMINER PHOTO | TONY BARRETT)
It was the host Yellow Jackets that made the big defensive play, as Joshua Harlett intercepted a Bellefontaine pass on his 8-yard line with 1:28 remaining in the game to preserve a 31-28 Sidney victory.
Sidney was unable to do much to stop a punishing Bellefontaine running game, but a false start and a couple of ineffective rushing attempts saw the Chiefs face a 4th-and-13 at the Yellow Jackets’ 29-yard line with 1:45 left on the clock.
Bellefontaine, which had completed two of just three pass attempts for one yard, was forced to put the ball in the air and the result was the crucial turnover that wiped out an opportunity for a late rally.
“We stubbed our toes and put ourselves behind the sticks,” said Bellefontaine head coach Toby Smith. “That put us in a position where we had to do something we didn’t want to do.”
For the full story and game results, pick up a copy of Friday’s Bellefontaine Examiner.
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