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Wolves rally late past Loveland

West Clermont WR Cameron Strause (photo by; Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

The Blitz 5 Game of the Week made its way to the southeast side of town stopping at West Clermont. The home team Wolves have been one of the feel-good stories of the year. They are one win away from finishing over .500 for just the second time in school history and first since the program’s inaugural season in 2017. The Wolves aimed to continue their stellar season and could be a dark horse in the division I playoffs.

Last week, Loveland responded to its worst loss of the year with its best win of the season. The Tigers were riding the momentum of three victories in their last four contests and are in “must” win mode. They looked to continue to make a push for a playoff spot as they currently hold the final spot in region 8.

After a hard-fought affair, it was West Clermont who was able to satisfy their home fans and come away with a 21-17 victory on Friday night.

Things started when after a long physical drive the Wolves were able to pay it off when Landon Young scored on a 1-yd plunge into the end zone. The Wolves had the home crowd rocking early. Loveland would respond quickly on the offensive end. They would put together their own long drive and pay it off. Tyler Roberts found Dylan Hacker on a 1-yd pass to tie the ball game late in the first quarter.

Both defenses took over the game in the second quarter as neither offense was able to muster anything for the majority. Loveland was able to produce enough to get into good range and Brady Stidham knocked in a 25-yd field goal to give the Tigers their first lead. One they would take into the half.

West Clermont would come out in the third quarter and apply their signature run game. The Wolves used their physical rushing attack to go on a 10 plus minute drive. Landon Young was a major catalyst during the drive to help keep the chains moving. He would finish things off with another short touchdown from a yard out as West Clermont took a 14-10 lead to start the fourth quarter.

The Wolves would force a three and out on Loveland’s next possession and got the ball back with just 8 minutes to play. The Tigers would not go quietly as their defense was able to get off the field and get the ball back for their offense to try and produce a go-ahead score.

The Tiges got to work quickly as they put together a drive that used a quick passing game with some runs mixed in to drive down the field deep into West Clermont territory. Loveland would cash in with a 2-yd score by Chase Martin with just under three minutes remaining.

The Wolves had their backs against the wall and needed to play outside of their comfort zone to get a win and they did just that. After leaning on the run game for most of the game, the Wolves were forced to deploy the pass late. Bo Rickman found a streaking Cameron Strause for a deep touchdown pass to take the lead back with just under a minute remaining in the game. 

The Wolves would get the stop they needed to salt away the win on senior night. Young rushed for 141 yards and two scores. Rickman rushed for 57 yards and passed for a season high 108 yards on the night. 

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

SCORING BY QUARTERSLoveland 7-3-0-7-17
West Clermont 7-0-0-14-21

SCORING PLAYS
W: Landon Young 1-yd rush (Isaac Cooper kick)
L: Dylan Hacker 1-yd rec from Tyler Roberts (Brady Stidham kick)
L: Brady Stidham 25-yd field goal
W: Landon Young 1-yd rush (Cooper kick)
L: Chase Martin 2-yd rush (Brady Stidham kick)
W: Cameron Strause 42-yd rec from Bo Rickman (Cooper kick)

RECORDS: Loveland (3-6, 3-5 ECC); West Clermont(6-3, 5-3 ECC)
UP NEXT: Loveland vs. Anderson; West Clermont at Little Miami

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