NEW MADISON — Senior Night ended in a big way for Tri-Village, as the Patriots defeated Preble Shawnee 33-7 to secure at least a share of the Western Ohio Athletic Conference football championship.
Preble Shawnee struck first. Facing fourth down at the Tri-Village 35-yard line, the Arrows pitched the ball to Kody Clark, who swept around the right side for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 3:59 left in the first quarter.
The Patriots answered with a quick, three-play drive. Colt Camacho broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 7-6 with 2:33 remaining in the quarter. The extra point was no good.
Tri-Village took the lead early in the second quarter after Teddy Miller recovered a Preble Shawnee fumble at the 49-yard line. The Patriots covered the 51 yards in a drive capped by Brecken Gray’s three-yard quarterback keeper. The two-point conversion failed, but Tri-Village moved ahead 12-7 with 11:14 left in the half.
A Griffin Richards interception gave the Patriots another opportunity at the Preble Shawnee 24. The Arrows answered with an interception of their own, as Caleb Blankenship returned possession to them at the 45. Tri-Village’s defense then stopped the drive at the 33, and the Patriots took over with 6:20 to play in the half.
After forcing Tri-Village to punt, Preble Shawnee fumbled the ball back to the Patriots. Senior lineman Jamey Lipps recovered, and Tri-Village turned the opportunity into points. Camacho finished a 40-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, and Owen Ridout’s extra point made it 20-7 with 54 seconds left before halftime.
The Patriots’ ground game continued to wear down the Arrows after the break. Preble Shawnee drove into Tri-Village territory in the third quarter, but the Patriots held at the 20-yard line. Camacho then ripped off a 54-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 26-7 with 4:07 left in the quarter.
Tri-Village coach Matthew Hopkins said the Patriots had to find their rhythm against a physical opponent. “We just were able to find some creases and holes,” he said, praising Camacho’s running and the offensive line’s communication as it adjusted during the game.
Hopkins also noted that the conditions favored a ground-focused approach. “With the rain and wind, you know you’re limited, you can’t really throw the ball well in this, and we found success running it, making for a good day,” he added.
The Patriots’ defense made sure Preble Shawnee could not build momentum. After forcing a punt, Tri-Village put together another drive but fumbled at its own 23-yard line with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter. The defense responded by forcing another punt, giving the Patriots possession just past midfield.
Camacho then broke through the line for his fourth rushing touchdown of the night, a 47-yarder that put Tri-Village ahead 33-7 and sealed the final score. He finished with 261 yards on 27 carries, leading a Patriots rushing attack that gained 308 yards.
Tri-Village totaled 388 yards of offense. Gray completed 9 of 14 passes for 79 yards, while Kingston Shaffer had four receptions for 39 yards and Richards caught three passes for 20.
The Patriots held the Arrows to 14 passing yards and 212 rushing yards. Camacho led Tri-Village defensively with 14 tackles, including four solo stops. Kole Hiestand added 10 tackles, while Dom Black and Miller had seven apiece.
Hopkins noted that the turnovers created valuable chances but emphasized that Tri-Village still had to make the most of them. “They gave us some extra possessions that they normally don’t do. I was worried there for a minute that we weren’t taking advantage, because a team like that, they don’t give you so many opportunities.” He added that Preble Shawnee “they cleaned it up the second half and made us earn it.”
The win lifted Tri-Village to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in the WOAC. The Patriots will travel to Arcanum next Friday with an outright conference championship within reach: a victory would secure the title. Reflecting on the importance of the Senior Night win, the coach said, “Let’s get that monkey off our back. Let’s play for at least a share of the title next week.”
