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Winton Woods shocks La Salle, wins 18-15

CINCINNATI, Ohio – If the La Salle Lancers lose a game, it will most likely be considered an upset. The three-time defending Division II state champions have earned the right to be favored in majority of their matchups.

Well, Winton Woods did the unthinkable Friday night – they upset the Lancers.

La Salle has topped the Warriors for three straight years, but they could not make it a fourth as Winton Woods defeated them at Lancer Stadium 18-15.

“I don’t even think it has set in yet,” said Winton Woods head coach Andre Parker. “Anytime you can go and play a three-time defending state champion on their home field and come out on top, that’s pretty special.”

The game was a defensive showcase through three quarters with La Salle holding a 7-5 lead heading into the fourth. The teams combined for three turnovers, the Warriors’ defense blocked a punt for a safety, and the Lancers blocked a field goal. It was a battle for either squad to put points on the board.

Everything turned around once the fourth quarter came, however. Winton Woods – who had not led all game – took an 11-7 lead less than one minute into the period on a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kenny Mayberry.

“We just said ‘Don’t flinch,’” Parker said of his team’s composure throughout the game. “I told the guys, ‘Two great teams going at it, it’s going to be tough, but don’t flinch. First team to flinch is going to lose.’ We didn’t flinch tonight.”

Later in the quarter, the Warriors found the end zone again. Running back Miyan Williams ran the ball in on a 26-yard carry, extending the lead to 18-7 with 3:25 remaining. Williams finished with 94 yards on 23 carries.

“It feels great [to get the win,]” Williams said. “We couldn’t beat the team for the past two years, as I remember, it feels great to beat them.”

Williams’ touchdown proved to be the game-winner. With 1:24 left in the game, La Salle’s Sam Hildebrand took a Griffin Merritt pass 82 yards for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion trimmed the score to 18-15.

La Salle then failed on their onside kick attempt, clinching the win for the Warriors.

Winton Woods was 1:24 away from shutting La Salle out in the second half. Parker was pleased with his defense’s performance.

“We knew our defense was very, very special,” Parker said. “We just had to put it all together as a team. We knew we had an opportunity to be great, we just had to be cohesive.”

Winton Woods remains undefeated on the season, with five wins already. The Warriors have matched their win totals of the past two seasons, going 5-5 in 2015 and 2016.

“I think [this win] just lets everybody else know our potential,” Parker said. “We knew our potential all along. These were our expectations, we just had to put it together and take care of business.”

The Warriors had two turnovers on the night, and had another fumble they didn’t lose. Moving forward, that is what Parker wants to see his team improve on.

“We had too many turnovers,” Parker said. We can’t do that. If we play them again, we’re not going to be able to beat them with three turnovers.”

 

Winton Woods 0-5-0-13-18

La Salle 0-7-0-8-15

 

L: Merritt 26-yard pass to While, Graham kick is good

WW: Safety

WW: Velasquez 31-yard field goal

WW: Mayberry 3-yard run, failed two-point conversion attempt

WW: Williams 26-yard run, Velasquez kick is good

L: Merritt 82-yard pass to Hildebrand, Merritt pass to Dashley for two-point conversion

 

RECORDS: Winton Woods (5-0), La Salle (4-1)

UP NEXT: Winton Woods at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (3-3); La Salle at Archbishop Moeller (3-2)

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