WAYNESFIELD – 8-2 Tri-Village went on the road in the opening round of the OHSAA DVII Region 28 Football Playoffs taking on 7-3 Waynesfield-Goshen. TV started the game well going up 14-0, led 14-7 at the half … and then blitzed the Tigers in the 2nd half to win it going away 43-7.
Tri-Village came out playing physical and looked sharp early going up 14-0 on a fumble recovery in the endzone by Lane Bierly for a score and then a TD run by Trey Sagester.
But the Patriots appeared to lose focus and played much softer in the 2nd quarter and found themselves in a game.
“We got soft and lost a bit of focus. You know, you can’t do that against a team that’s super physical, you can’t be happy it’s 14 nothing and think they’re just going to roll over, because we’ve never played these guys before,” Tri-Village coach Matthew Hopkins said.
Tri-Village found themselves twice having to defend their goal line in the first half and after their 2nddefensive stand they took over at their own 5-yard line.
They were unable to move the ball and forced to punt back and after an unsportsmanlike penalty the Tigers were in striking distance, and they made the Patriots pay on a 20-yard TD pass bringing the score to 14-7 at the break.
“Watching them on film, they’re just super physical, and they play really hard. So, I was really disappointed that we took a step back lost our focus after a good start in the first half … but we got things locked in at half,” Hopkins stated.
Tri-Village took advantage of some early opportunities in the 2nd half to jump back on top of the Tigers.
Teddy Miller recovered a fumble near the Goshen 25-yard line early in the 3rd quarter and turned the mistake into a score. After a 20-yard run by Trey Sagester, it was Noah Finkbine finishing it up on a 5-yard run to push the lead to 20-7.
On the ensuing Waynesfield possession Hayden Hunt snagged an interception giving TV the ball at the 35-yard line and once again they made quick work of the gift.
A couple of nice pass completions from Trey Sagester to Griffin Richards in the flat and then screen to Noah Finkbine had the Patriots knocking at the door.
Richards capped the drive catching a Sagester toss in the corner of the end zone. Finkbine ran in the two-point conversion to go up 28-7 with 8:08 left to play in the 3rd quarter.
The two quick scores stunned the Tigers … the only question is would the Patriots lose focus and play soft again?
Tri-Village would bend but not break on the next drive and got a touchdown saving tackle from senior Mason Weathington it was one of three tackles he made to stop a break away score. The Patriots then stopped Goshen on downs to get the ball back.
TV would put together a nice drive mixing up the run and pass with the drive extended to the first play of the 4th quarter where Sagester connected with senior Zeke Hopkins for a TD and a two-point score by Richards put the Patriots up 36-7.
Another defensive stop by Tri-Village led to another impressive drive with freshman Colt Camacho getting some carries as they moved the ball down the field.
It was Sagester to Hopkins combo striking once again to cap the scoring at the 6-minute with Colt Camacho kicking the extra point for a 43-7.
The Patriots physicality for the entire second half matched the beginning of the game, and they maintained it which pleased coach Hopkins.
“I thought our interior guys, both offensively and defensively, played really well. They’re bringing the freaking house, and we picked it up pretty well. You know, when they’re bringing seven, we’re only blocking five. You know, we got to do some things, but I’m just really happy with our inside guys tonight,” Hopkins explained.
“We could have been down in the first half it we didn’t have those goal line stands and then in the 2nd half our defense played outstanding and our front with freshman, Carson Lipps, two juniors, Hunter Ridout, who we call Dave, and then Hunter Johnsman, those guys just played really well. Johnsman is probably our most tech technically sound guy, and the other guys just use their speed or strength and played super well,” Hopkins praised
Hopkins noted the physicality and play of Noah Finkbine whose toughness stood out.
“You know he was mad at himself. He put the ball on the ground twice at the goal line … but defensively, he’s a difference maker,” Hopkins stated.
Offensively the Patriots distributed the ball well with their passing game and it would be a big day for senior receiver Zeke Hopkins, son of coach Hopkins with two big TD catches.
“He’s one of our seniors that I’m really happy for, he played really well. He had some fog in that first half, and we had to shake it out of him a little bit. It’s always good when you know how to press the buttons of your own son and came back out wanted it in the 2nd half.”
“I’m happy for all the seniors, not a whole lot of people thought we’d be here after the class we had graduate here last season and to see them have success and playing extremely well is great,” Hopkins smiled.
Tri-Village improves to 9-2 on the year but will face a juggernaut next Friday night as they travel north to take on Marion Local. The Flyers are on a 59-game consecutive winning streak the most ever in the state of Ohio and have won 3 consecutive DVII State Football Titles. They defeated Fort Recovery 68-0 Friday night.
The Patriots next task will be huge … but one they are willing to take on knowing they will be going up against the type of program that you would want to aspire to as well.
“We know all the stories about them … but we got nothing to lose. We’ll take our 35 kids up there to see their 80 and we’re going to lay it on the line, our kids are mean and scrappy enough to be able to do that,” Hopkins shared.
“This is our 10th year having football, so this is a benchmark game to see where our program is right now. We’re looking into watching some film and getting ready for it, we’re going to see the best and we’re very much excited for it,” Hopkins concluded.
