CINCINNATI, OH – After a tough loss to rival McNicholas the week prior, senior quarterback Bubba Smart and the Roger Bacon Spartans got back on track with an impressive win over the New Richmond Lions, 42-22.
After finding themselves quickly down 3-0 early in the first quarter, Smart and the Spartans offense went to work, utilizing a potent rushing attack and controlling the line of scrimmage, culminating in a quick 22-yard strike to senior tailback Da’Vion Gipson.
With the lead, the Spartans defense came up big with the defensive score, their first of the season, as junior Evan Otto picked up a fumble on the boundary and took it to the house, giving full control of the game to Roger Bacon, control they never relinquished for the rest of the contest.
Smart shined in small sample sizes on Friday night – while he only threw for a total of 95 yards, he threw three touchdowns and did not turn the ball over once. While much of the Spartans offensive drives ended in passing touchdowns, it was the running game that quietly helped Roger Bacon cruise past New Richmond.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Mike Blaut, Roger Bacon
Junior Spartans tailback Jerome Smith carried the ball 12 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns of his own, and senior Ja’Mere Mitchell had 105 yards on the ground of his own. Smith was carrying the ball at an impressive 13 yards per carry, and his breakout performance only built on his case to become the Spartans feature running back moving forward.
As for New Richmond, despite the loss on Friday night, the Lions had some offensive success of their own, as they were able to find some success in the passing game. Junior quarterback Brady Young had an impressive night, going 29/43 passing for 223 yards and a touchdown. Young’s favorite receiver Abner Peyton had his own nice performance, as he hauled in 11 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, in addition to throwing a 45-yard passing touchdown of his own.
SCORING BY QUARTER
New Richmond: 3-6-13-0-22
Roger Bacon: 14-21-7-0-42
SCORING PLAYS
N: Ian Felts 30 field goal
R: Da’vion Gipson 22 pass from Bubba Smart (Evan Otto kick failed)
R: Evan Otto 25 fumble return (Liam Vargo pass from Smart)
R: Jerome Smith 15 run (Otto kick)
R: Smith 57 run (Otto kick)
N: Dylan Wolf 45 pass from Peyton Abner (2-pt failed)
N: Abner 11 pass from Brady Young (2-pt failed)
R: Vargo 22 pass from Smart (Otto kick)
N: Wolf 15 run (Colton Waldman kick)
NEXT UP: New Richmond (2-3) at Clinton-Massie (4-1); Roger Bacon (3-2) at Danville (IN)(2-3)
