NEW MADISON – The Tri-Village Patriots advance to the sweet 16 in OHSAA Sate Football Tournament for the 2nd year in a row after defeating Cincinnati Country Day 49-7.
Tri-Village knew coming in that they would have to slow down the running game of the Knighthawks who boasted 3 – 1000-yard rushers this season and a 10-1 record coming in.
The Patriots would control the line of scrimmage in the game and for the most part held Country Day’s running game in check and forced 4 turnovers in the game with Braden Keating picking off 2 passes and recovery a forced fumble by Jayden Hollinger. Trey Sagester got the last turnover in the game intercepting the Knighthawks to finish off the contest.
Tanner Printz fights for yards after the catch. (Don Selanders Photo)
Tri-Village scored 3 times in the 1st half with Reed Wehr galloping for two of the scores a 51-yarder and 11-yarder. The other Patriot score came off a 10-yard Keating pass to Lucas Howell his 1st score of the year for the 21-0 halftime lead.
Reed Wehr got the edge on his way to 51-yard score. (Don Selander Photo)
The defense forced a turnover to start the 2nd half and it didn’t take long for the PATS to take advantage as Justin Finkbine ran left then cut back across the field to the right and outran Country Day to the endzone for a 51-yard score.
The Knighthawks were never able to mount a serious threat as they were being controlled at the line of scrimmage.
Jace Lipps & Brayden Keating bottle up a CCD runner. (Don Selander Photo)
“We did a good job being physical and controlling the line of scrimmage and our special teams units did a really nice job setting the tone with their physical play,” Tri-Village coach Matthew Hopkins stated.
In the 2nd half the Patriots scored 4 times, twice in the air to Noah Finkbine and Tanner Printz and the rushing TD by Justin Finkbine and another from brother Noah.
QB Braden Keating takes off from the pocket for a gain. (Don Selander Photo)
“Our offense did a good job of controlling the clock and spreading the ball around to our playmakers especially in the 2nd half,: Hopkins said.
For the game Braden Keating was 15-20 passing and 3 TDs. Reed Wehr rushed 20 times for 152 yard and the Patriots had a total of 408 yards of offense in the game.
Country Day was kept in check most of the night but did eventually score but Hopkins was pleased with his defense.
“Our defense did a great job limiting their rushing attack. They had 3 guys close to 1,000 yards each in rushing yards coming into the game.
Defensively Austin Rismiller led the with 13 total tackles, 3 for losses and 6 solo. Noah Finkbine had 9, Logan Call and Justin Finkbine 8 tackles and Seth Cook 7 tackles to lead the defense.
All in all, we were happy with how well we played in all three phases of the game. It was a very good team win over a very good opponent and we’re pleased to be advancing to the regional semifinals.
Next up for the Patriots is 11-1 Allen East (Harrod) who returns to the playoffs this year after reaching the regional semi-finals last season before bowing out of the tournament to Coldwater.
The game will be played Saturday at Bellefontaine AcuSport Stadium with kickoff slated at 7pm.
Kaeden Lipps sacks the Country Day, the Patriots will need this type of effort against Allen East this Saturday in the Regional Semi-Final Football Game. (Don Selander Photo)
