Resilient Chiefs survive Cougars
SPRINGFIELD — A Bellefontaine team already riddled with injuries faced a worst-case scenario to start its game here Friday against Kenton Ridge.
On the second play of the night, BHS starting quarterback Ethan Moore went down with an ankle injury that sent him to the bench.
Sophomore Kaden Reames came on for Moore and kept the Chiefs in the game until Moore returned in the second half to lead BHS to a 26-20 victory.
Bellefontaine won despite committing 13 penalties and losing two fumbles.
“It was a big, ugly win,” said BHS head coach Jason Brown with a laugh. “But a win is a win, and you learn from it and move forward. I am really proud of our kids for showing great determination and toughness. The second half was about believing in each other.”
Trailing 20-14 in the third quarter, Moore rallied the Chiefs with two touchdown passes, a 32-yarder to Jaeden Campbell that tied the score with 4:06 left in the third period, and then a 36-yard strike to Collin Deitsch for the go-ahead score with 7:56 remaining in the game.
Lakers pull out 20-14 overtime thriller against Raiders
Indian Lake stretched its winning streak over county rival Benjamin Logan to nine straight with a thrilling 20-14 overtime victory over the visiting Raiders in a Central Buckeye Conference Mad River division football game Friday night.
Ben Logan took a 14-7 lead with under six minutes to go in the game. Indian Lake was able to score in the final two minutes to tie the game 14-14 and then delivered a goal line stand against the Raiders in the final seconds of regulation to keep the score tied.
In overtime, Ben Logan went on offense first and was unable to score. Indian Lake scored on its first play when quarterback Caleb Wurster pitched the ball to Lane Mefford, who first looked to throw and then pulled it down and reversed field, weaving his way 20 yards for the winning TD.
“A game like that, it’s a shame someone has to lose,” said IL head coach Dave Coburn. “It was a great game. I’m very happy and very proud of our players. They overcame some mistakes and really fought hard.
“Our defense stepped up when it needed to. Hats off to Ben Logan. They had a nice game plan with the run game. We knew it would be a battle. They’re committed to that run-pass option and it makes them hard to prepare for.”
Turnovers cost Riverside in 1st loss of the season
Self-inflicted miscues proved costly for Riverside on Friday as visiting Lima Perry pulled away for a 24-8 Northwest Central Conference victory.
The Pirates, who fall to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the NWCC, had four turnovers on the night. The Commodores remain unbeaten at 4-0, 4-0.
“We played a tough team and we made too many mistakes,” said RHS head coach Bryce Hodge. “We have to clean some things up. We had four turnovers and you’re never going to put yourself in a good position when you have many turnovers.”
Roughriders barrel past Tigers 44-20
West Liberty-Salem’s football team could not match the dynamic playmaking ability of West Jefferson on Friday as the Roughriders rolled to a 44-20 win in Ohio Heritage Conference play.
The Tigers fall to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the OHC North standings. The Roughriders are now 3-1, 1-1.
West Jefferson returned several of its dangerous skill players from last year’s state semifinal team and they were in full force Friday. The Roughriders outgained the Tigers 558-181 in total offense.
WJ junior quarterback standout Tyler Buescher was extremely impressive, completing 22-of-24 passes for 388 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Roughriders had two receivers go over 100 yards and also had a 100-yard rusher.
Fairbanks tops Triad 35-21
Triad’s football team put up a fight, but couldn’t stay with host Fairbanks in a 35-21 loss Friday during Ohio Heritage Conference action.
The Cardinals fall to 1-3 overall and 0-3 in the OHC North standings, while the Panthers move to 4-0, 3-0.
Fairbanks jumped ahead 21-7 after the opening quarter. Each team scored a touchdown in the second quarter, which left the Panthers ahead 28-14 at halftime.
Complete football coverage in Saturday’s Examiner