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| "Keystoners Dominate in 38-8 Romp" |
| Beloit - The ITCL duo of Shane and Shane (Ewing and Peterson) literally had to run for their lives from a smothering Penn defense in route to a disappointing 38-8 loss in the 31st annual Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic. The Keystoners used a tenatious defense along with big plays offensively to build an early lead, and they never looked back. On only their second possession, the Penn all-stars hit on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 8:35 remaining in the first quarter. They would add to their lead just six minutes later, this time on 7-yard run following a short three play drive. With the Keystoners leading 14-0, the Buckeyes had a chance to cut the decefit. Following a nine play drive that had them with second and goal at the Penn three, the Buckeyes would fumble the ball at the 1-yard line. All was not lost though, as the Keystoners would punt from the 10, and have the ball sail over the punters head and out of the end zone for a safety. |
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| The Buckeyes would get the ball again at the fifty yard line only to have a Ewing pass get picked off at the Penn 46. The Keystoners would take advantage of the misque and quickly march 54-yards in five plays. A 27-yard touchdown pass with just 28 seconds remaining in the half pushed the Penn advantage to 21-2 at halftime. Things did not get any better for the Buckeyes in the second half. On their first possession they would fumble the ball at the Penn 34. Again the Keystoners took advantage, this time they marched to the Ohio 12 where Center's Lucas Campos would hit a 29-yard field goal. The Keystoners would pull away after that with back-to-back scoring drives. The first being a quick 3-play, 62-yard drive ending with a 51-yard touchdown pass at 4:18 of the third quarter. The second a 8-play, 37-yard drive following another Ohio turnover. With the second score at 0:04 of the third quarter, the Keystoners had build a commanding 38-2 lead. The Buckeyes would not give up without a fight as they would finally hit paydirt with a 14-yard touchdown run by Indian Creek's Doren Thomas at the 8:17 mark of he fourth quarter. Both teams would have one more possession in the game, but neither scored. East Palestine, and ITCL player Ben Gysin was named the Ohio "Player of the Game" for his outstanding work from his linebacker position. Several other ITCL players had a great effort including Springfield's Jimmy Zubick who almost returned a kickoff for a toughdown in the second half. |
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| Photos Courtesy of: Babbitt Photography |