Preview: Badin at Withrow

Two of the top defensive teams in 2021 are going to duke it out in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week. Reigning Ohio Division III state runner-up Badin heads south from Hamilton into Cincinnati to face Withrow in what could be an epic offensive struggle. All signs point to defense ruling the evening. The soak tubs will be filled, the heating pads will be burning up electricity and the ice will be packing around aches on both sides after this knockdown, drag out affair is over.

#18 BADIN RAMS (2-0) at WITHROW TIGERS (1-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 2nd
Angus King Stadium
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior WR/DB/RS Braedyn Moore will have his number called in clutch situations all night long for Badin. The Cincinnati commit can do-it-all and will line up in a myriad of positions in all phases of the game. Junior QB Alex Ritzie and senior RB Carter Russo have waited behind some very talented players before them and now the duo has gotten their chance to shine. They have done so splendidly to this point of 2022. Transfer WR/DB Aidan Brown has provided a spark at receiver and in the secondary.

The Rams defense is paced by seniors LB Kaden Starks, DL Jackson Martin, LB Reese Anzalone and juniors DB Carson Cheek and LB Nate Ostendorf. Sophomore DL Royce Rachel is a rising star. Moore has 10 career interceptions and Cheek has seven. 

A veteran defense sets the tone for Withrow. The Tigers are led by seniors DB Terhyon Nichols, DB Zion Shaw, DL Deandre Woolens, DE Sulaiman Willis, LB Jamez Early, Norwood transfer DE Quinterrius Jemison along with juniors DT Wylen Gover, DB Chris Payne and Sycamore transfer LB Zaire Washington. Nichols is one of Ohio’s top defensive backs in the Class of 2024. His offers include Cincinnati, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Pitt, Tennessee and West Virginia. Woolens has offers from Akron, Central Michigan, Jackson State and Toledo.

The Withrow offense has been very balanced with 373 yards rushing and 355 receiving  with nine touchdowns (five rush, four pass) through two games. Senior QB Troy Montgomery, classmate WR Gideon Tafari-Thompson, sophomore WR Quintin Simmons and freshman RB Antuian Brown have had their flashes of brilliance to start the season.

TEAM TRENDS: Since the beginning of 2020, Badin is a combined 24-2. In that span, the Rams have allowed just 8.7 points per game, 21 times opponents have scored 14 points or fewer, 12 have been held to seven points or less with five shutouts.  

The 27 points that Withrow gave up last week to Springboro was the most they have allowed in a game and first time anyone has posted more than 17 points against them since October 24th, October 2020. Since the beginning of 2021, the Tigers are a combined 10-3. In that span, Withrow has allowed just 8.4 points per game and 10 times opponents have scored seven points or less with six shutouts.   

HEAD COACHES:
Badin: Nick Yordy (45-15 at Badin, sixth year; 45-15 overall)

Withrow: Kali Jones (14-16 at Withrow, fourth year; 20-30 overall, sixth year) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Badin (26 appearances, 31-25) – 2021 (State Runner-Up), 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 (Regional Champion), 1995 (Regional Champion), 1994, 1993, 1990 (State Champion), 1989 (Regional Champion), 1987, 1982, 1981 (Regional Champion), 1980 (State Runner-Up), 1979 (Regional Champion), 1978 (Regional Champion)

Withrow (five appearances, 1-5) – 2021, 2020, 2013, 2007, 2004

BADIN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Be true to who you are on defense, and it will pay dividends at the end of 48 minutes. On offense, the Rams need to continue to spread the wealth. It will open up more one-on-one matchup opportunities for Moore.

WITHROW’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Clean up the sloppiness. Turnovers and untimely penalties are setbacks that can be rectified with focus. Possessions are precious commodities against the Badin defense. The Tigers need to understand the roles have been reversed in 2022. Withrow is no longer the hunter they are the hunted. 

Prediction: Badin 16, Withrow 13 

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