ANSONIA — Ansonia pulled within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but New Bremen answered with a quick scoring strike to defeat the Tigers 27-12 in an OHSAA Division VII football playoff game on Ansonia’s home field.
The Tigers finished the 2026 season 9-2 overall and 8-1 in Western Ohio Athletic Conference play.
Trailing 20-6 entering the fourth quarter, Ansonia put together a sustained drive capped by Jacob Schmitmeyer’s one-handed, 10-yard touchdown reception from Cade Shellhaas. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Tigers down 20-12 with 7:19 remaining.
New Bremen responded less than a minute later. Quarterback Gavin Dicke connected with Kelly for a 55-yard touchdown pass with 6:22 left, and the extra point extended the Cardinals’ lead to 27-12. The score held as New Bremen kept its playoff season alive.
The Cardinals established an early advantage after winning the coin toss and electing to receive. New Bremen used 7:17 of the first-quarter clock before Dicke scored on a 1-yard run. The extra point gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead before Ansonia’s offense took the field.
The Tigers answered with a lengthy possession of their own. Starting at its 22-yard line, Ansonia held the ball for nearly six minutes before freshman Austin Tobe scored on a 4-yard run with 10:12 remaining in the second quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving New Bremen ahead 7-6.
Ansonia’s defense kept the game close through the rest of the half. A New Bremen touchdown pass was nullified by offensive pass interference after a Cardinals receiver pushed off a defensive back in the end zone.
The Tigers later recovered a Cardinals fumble, taking possession at their own 31 with 7:13 left in the second quarter. Neither team could sustain a scoring drive before halftime, and New Bremen carried its one-point lead into the break.
The Cardinals created separation in the third quarter. A 47-yard touchdown run and successful extra point pushed the lead to 14-6 with nine minutes remaining.
New Bremen added another touchdown with 2:46 left in the quarter. The extra-point attempt missed, leaving the Cardinals ahead 20-6 and setting up Ansonia’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
After the game, Ansonia coach Adam Hall praised the seniors whose work helped carry the Tigers through the season.
“We have a great group of seniors,” Hall said. “These guys have put in tons of work since they’ve been in high school. I appreciate all of them so much.”
Hall said his appreciation extended beyond the results on the field.
“The biggest thing is I know that playing football is hard,” he said. “I know the time that they put in, and I appreciate all the work they put in. They’ve been good kids to be around. They’ve been fun. They’ve worked hard, and there’s just not enough good things you can say about them.”
Hall also credited his assistants for their contributions to the team.
“Our coaching staff does a great job,” Hall said. “I’m very fortunate with the guys that we have. They make it easy on me, and I appreciate everything they do. And they do a lot for our guys, and I appreciate that too.”
