Crestview - It was a totally different game. The Bulldogs and Rebels battled to the bitter end before Crestview was able to seal the victory with a huge sack and incomplete pass on fourth down with just under two minutes left in the contest to secure a 20-14 win.
The Rebels began the game looking like they picked up right where they left off against East Palestine in week #6. They marched to the Bulldogs 25-yard line on 10-plays before they would face a 4th and 19 after a penalty and sack. Rebels quarterback Carter Hill would throw an incomplete pass that would turn the ball back over to the Bulldogs.
East Palestine would mirror the Rebels drive when they would drive to the Rebels 33 before they turned the ball over on downs themselves after a 15-play drive. The long drive would eat up five minutes off the first quarter clock.
This time though, the Rebels would capitalize on they're second possession. They would use a steady running game and two passes in a 10-play, 66-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Dakota Norris to put the Rebels up 6-0 at the 9:35 mark of the second quarter.
The Bulldogs looked to moving the ball again when Bulldogs quarterback Shane Peterson would be intercepted by the Rebels lineback Tom Oliver and returned the ball to the Bulldog 39-yard line. The Rebels would make them pay as they quickly went the final 39-yards on 6 plays with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Hill to receiver Adam Coppock. The extra point was good as the Rebls pushed they're advantage to 13-0.
It looked like the the Bulldogs were in real trouble when the Rebels would pick off another Petereson pass at their own 45-yard line. However, the Dogs would come up with a tremendous defensive stand forcing the Rebels to punt. The defensive effort seemed to wake up the Dogs offense as they would drive 90-yards on 9 plays resulting in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to Shane Ergesi with just 1:24 remaining in the half.
Crestview looked to make a statement to start the second half as they would drive 40-yards on 13 plays, but were forced to punt on a 4th and 25 from the Bulldogs 40-yard line. The snap would go over the head of punter Kody Simpson resulting the Bulldogs recovering at the Crestview 45-yard line.
It looked like the Dogs had all the momentum when Peterson would rush 45-yards for a touchdown, but a illegal block called the play back. Then when force to punt themselves, punter Trevor Patterson tried to run for the first down but he was tackled short of the marker.
The Rebels would them pay as they would drive 53-yards for a touchdown on a Hill to Adam Britton 6-yard pass. With the point after, the Rebels push the lead to 20-6 with 10:47 remaining in the contest.
The Bulldogs would answer right back after a change of possessions. They would drive 67-yards on just 6 plays as Peterson would rush in from 18-yard out. They would be successful on a two-point conversion to cut the Rebels advantage to 20-14 with 5:10 remaining in the game.
The Rebels were force to punt on they're next possession, giving the Dogs one final attempt to win. They would pick up one first down before a penalty and a blitzing Dakota Norris force the Dogs in a fourth and long situation that they were unable to convert.
On the night the Bulldogs quarterback Shane Peterson would hit 18 of 30 passes for 184 yards with 1 touchdown, and one rushing. Carter Hill would lead the Rebels with 11 of 20 passing for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns.
McDonald 24
McDonald - The seeding in the playoffs is not as important as the turnovers. The Devils would turn the ball over three times in the second half, including two interceptions in the final two minutes to allow Hopewell-Loudon to come away with a 28-24 victory.
The Devils got off to a quick start on a long screen pass touchdown and a filed goal by Will Robison to build a 10-0 lead. However, the Chieftains would cut into the lead with touchdown run of they're own. At halftime the score would be 10-7 in favor of the Devils.
The Chieftains would take the first lead of the game in the 3rd quarter when QB Ethan Fuller would throw a TD pass. The Devils would answer back quickly on a Justin Rota 66-yard TD pass from Nicola Accordino.
Nick Cupan would add a TD run to put the Devils up 24-14, but the Cheiftains would score on two TD runs. The second was set up on a fumble.
Accordino would be picked off with just under 2 minutes left in the game, and again on a desperation pass at the end of the game.
Norwalk St. Paul 45
Norwalk - Coach Hake knew it was going to be a tough game to win, and the Flyers were al to willing to oblige. The Flyers would score score early and often as they won in convincing fashion over the Devils 45-0.
The Flyers would force a safety on the Devils first possession and then add a 41-yard TD run following the free kick to jump out 9-0 before many were in their seats.
Another TD run, this time of 44-yards would push the lead to 15-0 after one quarter. The Flyers would not let uo as they added a short TD run and a 19-yard TD pass from Schweiterman to Wilde to make it 29-0.
In the second half the Flyers would add two more TD's and a field goal to round out the scoring and send the Devils home disappointed.
Columbiana 14
Columbiana - The Tigers of Shadyside are a lot better than the 5-5 record would indicate. Just ask the Columbiana Clippers as they were downed 19-14 by the Tigers in a first round OHSAA playoff game.
The Tigers were not intimidated by the long trip to Columbiana as they jumped out to an early 7-0, but the Clippers were able to fight back to tie the game at 7-7 at halftime on a Grant Crider touchdown run.
The Tigers would pull away in the second half as they would score twice to put the game before the Clippers were able to cut into the deficit.