TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Anderson squeaks past Turpin

Anderson squeaks past Turpin

Anderson WR/RB Evan Upchurch (photo by James Bates/TrStateFootball.com)

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2021 regular season finale featured exciting conference rivalries, including the township rival in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference between the Anderson Raptors and Turpin Spartans, with the Raptors coming out on top (score) on Friday night.

This is Anderson’s first win over Turpin since 2018 after losing in 2019 and not playing in 2020 due to COVID-19. Anderson also clinched the runner-up slot in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference for the season finishing 7-1 in ECC play, only behind Kings.

Turpin lit up the scoreboard first when Ryan McDole picked off Anderson quarterback Griffin Scalf and returned it for the Spartans score. With the missed extra point, the Spartans went up 6-0 early in the second quarter.

The Raptors promptly responded when Evan Upchurch returned the kickoff 90 yards to the house. A successful extra point by Hayden Brooke gave Anderson the slim 7-6 lead. Upchurch would extend the lead before the half to eight with an 18-yard scoring scamper.

After a defensive third quarter and no points, Griffin Scalf put up the scoring capper for the Raptors with a 10-yard run.

Turpin mustered up one more score in the fourth quarter when Will Schulok found Ryan McDole for a scoring pass to get within two after a successful two-point conversion. However, the Raptors defense was able to shut down the Spartans offense and solidify the win.

With the expanded playoffs, both teams will play again next week in postseason play. Anderson will likely finish with a Top 8 seed, meaning the Raptors will likely host a playoff game. Official playoff matchups will be announced on Sunday.

PHOTO GALLERY: Anderson at Turpin
POSTGAME RADIO INTERVIEW: Evan Dreyer

SCORING BY QUARTERS

Anderson 0-14-0-7-21

Turpin 0-6-0-8-14

SCORING PLAYS

T: Ryan McDole interception return (Robert Carson kick no good)

A: Evan Upchurch 90-yard kickoff return (Hayden Brooke kick good)

A: Evan Upchurch 18-yard run (Hayden Brooke kick good)

A: Griffin Scalf 10-yard run (Hayden Brooke kick good)

T: Will Schulok pass to Ryan McDole (2-point conversion good)

RECORDS: Anderson (8-2, 6-1 ECC); Turpin (7-3, 4-3)

UP NEXT: OHSAA Playoffs – Matchups TBA

*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on Twitter.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login