TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Saturday Round-Up: East Central pulls off upset

Saturday Round-Up: East Central pulls off upset

The No. 7 seeded East Central Trojans pulled off an upset of No. 4 seeded Reitz in and Indiana Class 4A regional Saturday at Reitz Bowl, 33-27.

East Central (11-2) scored the game’s deciding touchdown on the final play of regulation as quarterback Alex Maxwell connected with Justin Drees on 38-yard TD strike as the clock hit zeroes. The pass accounted for 38 of Maxwell’s 40 passing yards in the contest.

East Central QB Alex Maxwell (photo by Linda Lyness Maxwell)

East Central QB Alex Maxwell (photo by Linda Lyness Maxwell)

Maxwell accounted for all of the Trojans’ other scores as he finished with four rushing touchdowns in the win.

Reitz (11-2) looked to have the upper hand early in the contest and led at the half 14-7 behind a strong passing attack. Panthers’ quarterback Reid Mahan completed 14-of-22 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns before the break.

However, some halftime adjustments and some stiffening up on defense by East Central proved to be the difference down the stretch. Reitz didn’t have a first down in the second half until the final minutes.

The final minute of play was as good as it gets in playoff football. With Reitz trailing 27-21, Mahan connected with Elijah Dunham on a 14-yd TD pass, but that PAT attempt went wide right and the game remained tied at 27 with just 0:42 left.

Following a touchback East Central got the ball at their own 20 and it appeared as if this game was headed for overtime, but the Trojans had different plans.

They drove the length of the field to set up the dramatic final play. Drees slipped through the coverage and was left all alone in the left corner of the end zone and Maxwell connected with him without hesitation to seal the deal.

East Central) will host No. 1 Indianapolis Roncalli (13-0) next Friday in a semi-state matchup.

OHIO

Trotwood-Madison 47, New Richmond 10
The Rams proved to be too much the Lions on Saturday in a Division III, Region 12 semi-final matchup. Trotwood-Madison (10-2) put up 400 yards of total offense and used a couple of turnovers to roll to a 47-10 win.

Markell Stephens-Peppers completed 5-of-9 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns and Raveion Hargove tallied 117 yards and two scores on eight carries in the win.

Josh Anderson of New Richmond (10-2), who has posted monster numbers this season, was held in check as he finished with just 96 yards and one TD through the air and just 23 rushing yards on 14 carries in the loss.

Trotwood will now face St. Mary’s next week after they knocked off Franklin.

St. Mary’s 55, Franklin 31
Franklin’s fantastic 2016 campaign came to halt on Saturday night as they fell to St. Mary’s Memorial, 55-31 in a Division III, Region 12 semifinal at Wayne’s Heidkamp Stadium.

The Rough Riders scored early and often as they put points on the scoreboard on all nine of its possessions while registering 451 rushing yards.

Wildcats’ junior Ryan Montgomery carried the ball 19 times for 127 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Braden White threw for 255 yards and three scores in the loss.

Franklin (11-1) is still searching for the school’s first second-round playoff in 10 trips to the postseason.

St. Mary’s will battle Trotwood-Madison next Saturday for the regional championship.

CHCA 45, Milton-Union 28
The Eagles dominated Milton-Union on Saturday night in their Division V, Regional 20 semi-final matchup as they cruised to a 45-28 victory.

CHCA (12-0) scored on all six of their first-half possession and dominated on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Danny Vanatsky completed 12-of-15 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns and added 103 yards on the ground and an additional score I the win.

Next up the Eagles will once again face Coldwater for a regional title. CHCA has a problem getting over the hump versus them in recent years.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply