CINCINNATI, OHIO- In a matchup between two of Division IV’s best, the 10-0 Taft Senators
and the 10-1 Clinton-Massie Falcons, it was the Taft Senators who used both offensive and
defensive explosive plays to propel themselves to a perfect-season extending 44-7 win over the
Falcons on Friday night.
On the opening kickoff of the contest, the Falcons forced a rare Senators turnover and received
the ball on the Taft side of the field.
Utilizing their potent wing-T rushing offense, Clinton-Massie was able to drive down the field into
the Senators red-zone, but on a 3rd and 10, Falcons senior quarterback Kaden Zantene
overthrew his receiver in the endzone.
PHOTOS: Clinton-Massie at Taft
It was Taft’s junior star Monsanna Torbert who intercepted the pass, and proceeded to return
the ball all the way, 100-yards to the house to open the scoring for the high-powered Taft team.
“Without my teammates help, none of those (kind of) plays would be possible,” said Torbert of
the pick-six. “Kavontae Whipple played great defense on the receiver, and the ball just came to
me so I credit my teammates on that play.”
Clinton-Massie had their own offensive plans, however, as the Falcons utilized their rushing
attack, spearheaded by junior tailback Peyton Warren, and amazingly, controlled the ball for the
entirety of the rest of the first quarter.
On the very first play of the second quarter, Clinton-Massie was set up with a 4th and 10 from
their own 11, and decided to go for a field goal. Instead, the Falcons utilized a hard count and
drew the Senators offsides, giving them a first down on the Taft six-yard line.
The Falcons took advantage of the Senators mistake, and Clinton-Massie’s senior tailback
Tristen Trampler ran it in for a 4 yard score, marking the first time since September 7th that the
Senators defense gave up a touchdown.
With the game tied at 7-7, it didn’t take long for Taft to counter with what they do best:
explosives. On both offense and defense, the Senators utilized big plays to break the game
wide open within just one minute of the Falcons taking the lead.
It started with Taft’s very first offensive play from scrimmage of the game, with ten minutes to go
in the second quarter; Senators Senior tailback Najia Hill took a counter run 57-yards to the
house virtually untouched.
On the ensuing Clinton-Massie drive, the Senators defense made their mark once again when
they stripped the ball from the rushing Trampler, which dribbled back into the backfield for an
oncoming Taft defender, who scooped it and scored from 32 yards out, making it 22-7 after a
completed 2-pt conversion by the Senators.
Clinton-Massie’s defense also had their fair share of big plays, as senior defensive lineman Eli
Ruther roared around the edge to sack Torbert on 4th-and-10 in the Falcons redzone, allowing
the visitors to go into halftime only down two scores.
Coming out after the half, the Falcons started to open up their playbook, utilizing halfback
tosses and short screen plays to spread out the Senators defense, but it was to no avail.
Taft’s defense continued to flex their muscle throughout the second half, shutting down any
Clinton-Massie offensive plays, and they finished the contest with three turnovers, pushing their
season total to
Whenever Taft’s offense touched the ball, the explosive plays continued. Almost at will, the
Senators were able to turn routine plays into huge touchdowns; including two additional long
touchdown runs by Hill and junior Eddie Holloway, who also had a 60-yard punt return
touchdown.
“We feel like we have the best athletes in the state,” said Torbert. “We are going to give our
playmakers the chance to make a play whenever the opportunity is presented to us.”
The end of the game was a familiar sight for the undefeated Senators: a running clock, and Taft
was able to cruise to their 11th win of the season, earning them a trip to the Regional Semifinals
in Division IV, Region 16.
“I tell my teammates, this is an opportunity you don’t get back,” said Torbert. “Last year we
made it to the regional finals, and this year, we’re trying to get back.”
Next up for the Senators will be the winner between fellow unbeatens Indian Hill and
Washington Court House at a neutral site game next Friday night.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
CM: 0-7-0-0-7
Taft: 7-15-15-7-44
SCORING PLAYS
T: Monsanna Torbert 100 interception return (Chayse Mack kick)
C: Tristen Tampbell 4 run (Carrick Denehy kick)
T: Nijia Hill 56 run (Mack kick)
T: 25 fumble return (2PT conversion GOOD)
T: Eddie Holloway 60 punt return (2PT conversion GOOD)
T: Holloway 25 run (Mack kick)
T: Hill 37 run (Mack kick)
RECORDS: Taft (11-0), Clinton-Massie (10-2)
UP NEXT: Taft at Indian Hill (11-0), OHSAA Division IV, Region 16 Playoffs
