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Cincinnati Round-Up: Regional champs crowned

The field continued narrow in playoff action around Southwest Ohio on Friday as teams battled for regional titles and a chance to play in next week’s state semifinals.

DIVISION I

Region 4

NO. 1 MOELLER 21, NO. 3 LAKOTA WEST 17

The Crusaders are headed to the Ohio Division I state semifinals for the first time since 2013 after holding off the Firebirds in a hard fought battle in front of over 4,300 fans at Mason, 21-17.

Noah Geselbracht threw for a pair of scores and Jordan Marshall added the decisive score with a 3-yard TD run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter and the Moeller defense did the rest.

HIGHLIGHTS: Jordan Marshall (Moeller) TD run

The game was 14-9 in favor of Moeller at the half and it looked like Lakota West was going to take control of things in the third quarter after getting some stops on defense Cameron Goode scored on a 6-yard TD run and Mitch Bolden connected with Trent Lloyd for the two-point conversion to give the Firebirds a three-point lead.

HIGHLIGHTS: Cam Goode (Lakota West) TD run

Moeller answered on the opening drive of the final quarter and regained the lead on the Marshall TD and that would be the final points either defense would yield. Marshall finished with a game-high 123 yard on 19 carries. Geselbracht threw for 140 yards on 14-of-20 passing and was picked off once.

HIGHLIGHTS: Noah Geselbracht (Moeller) TD pass to Jordan Marshall

Mitch Bolden threw for 194 yards and a score and picked up an additional 88 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Alex Afari led all Firebird receivers with 89 yards and a TD on five catches.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Mark Elder, Moeller
POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Tom Bolden, Lakota West

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DIVISION II

Region 8

NO. 7 WINTON WOODS 38, NO. 1 PIQUA 17

The postseason explosion for the Warriors’ offense continued in this one, led by running back TyRek Spikes. The senior just doesn’t want his career to end and it showed on the field as he rushed for a career-high four touchdowns and 230 yards on 28 carries to lead the charge. Spike has now rushed for 230 or more yards in three of the team’s four postseason contests.

Winton Woods outgained Piqua in total yards by a 454 to 175 margin, including 345 yards on the ground. James Minor III added 87 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and quarterback Buddy Ellery completed 7-of-8 passes for 109 yards in the victory.

The Indians hung around in the game early behind solid quarterback play from Brady Ouhl, but it wouldn’t prove to be enough. Ouhl finished the game with 123 yards and a touchdown.

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DIVISION III

Region 12

NO. 1 BADIN 21, NO. 3 BELLBROOK 9

After going scoreless for over three quarters of action, Badin rallied in a big way and pulled away late to win the Region 12 title and a spot in next week’s Division III state semifinals.

The game was 3-0 entering the final quarter of play with the only score prior to that coming on a 42-yard field goal by Conner Peh in the opening frame. The Golden Eagles went up two scores with 10:32 left in the game when Seth Borondy scored on a 20-yard TD run. Peh’s kick was blocked though so the score would stand at 9-0.

The Rams would respond though on a 9-yard TD pass from Alex Ritzie to Braedyn Moore less than three minutes later. That’s how things would stay until the final minute of the contest.

Badin was driving into Bellbrook’s territory and it looked like things were going to end badly as they followed up a holding call by having a snap go high, setting up 3rd-and-29. After failing to convert they attempted a 40-yard field goal that wasn’t even close, but a roughing the kicker call gave the Rams new life.

A couple plays later Jack Walsh scored on a 13-yard TD to make it 14-9 with less than a minute to play. Bellbrook would get a chance to get the ball back, but shortly thereafter Jaden Wheatley was picked off by Carson Check, who took it to the house and put the nail in the coffin.

PHOTOS: Bellbrook vs. Badin

Region 11

NO. 1 GRANVILLE 57, NO. 6 WESTERN BROWN 49

Just like they did all season, the Broncos provided plenty of fireworks on offense. However, it would be enough to outduel an explosive performance from the Blue Aces as Western Brown’s magical season comes to an end.

Senior Devon Haley scored six times to lead the charge for Granville. He finished the night with 284 yards on 35 carries. Quarterback Tyler Ensberger only threw the ball six times in the game, but he completed all of his passes and finished with 141 yards and two scores through the air.

Western Brown got another huge night from their quarterback, Nick Novak, who’s been etching his name into Ohio folklore all season with his arcade-like numbers.

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DIVISION IV

Region 16

NO. 4 CLINTON-MASSIE 28, NO. 3 MCNICHOLAS 27 (FULL RECAP)

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Check out the COMPLETE SCOREBOARD.

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