Hilliard Darby 28, Dublin Scioto 24
Panthers win gut check to stay undefeated
By Steve Blackledge
The Columbus Dispatch
Hilliard Darby and Dublin Scioto spent much of the second half of an
Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division showdown last night trying to prove their manhood.
It was only fitting that the outcome ultimately was decided on a
fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard-line in the final two minutes.
“This is the kind of situation we work toward every day in practice,” Hilliard Darby senior quarterback Chase Longwell said. “We talk all the time about fighting tooth and nail for that inch and we would get it.”
Following fullback Cameron Kohl and the left side of his line, Longwell picked up the yard on a sneak reminiscent of one a week earlier, rallying host Darby to a 28-24 victory over Scioto that preserved its perfect season.
“It was the same play we ran against Westerville South in our own territory on fourth-and-1 last week,” Longwell said. “There was no question we were going to go for it. I don’t think there was even any thought of kicking the field
goal. All night, it was a battle to see who could out-tough each other and we knew we just had to man up and get that yard.”
Panthers coach John Santagata said the decision to go for it was simple.
“It’s one yard in the scheme of life,” he said. “You just have to make a decision and follow your heart. I have all the faith in the world in these guys that we’re going to get that yard. We practice those situations all the time. That’s one of our bread-and-butter plays, letting Chase tuck himself in behind the left side of the line and follow them in. It was an exciting way to end a great football game.”
Actually, Darby (8-0, 5-0) had to repel one final opportunity by Scioto (6-2, 4-1).
Quarterback Evan DeMars connected with Travis Yates and Tim Shadoan on respective pass plays of 37 and 21 yards to reach the Darby 34. But an intentional-grounding penalty eventually forced the Irish into a fourth-and-27, and a long pass by DeMars was batted down by Caleb Day to end the threat.
Darby showed plenty of fortitude in coming back from deficits of 17-7 and 24-14.
Six plays after recovering a Scioto fumble near midfield, Darby cashed in as Day took a pitchout and raced 28 yards for a touchdown.
The Irish blew another golden opportunity when all-purpose threat Shadoan was stripped from behind on a long run and Darby recovered at its own 32 with 7:57 remaining.
To the dismay of some would-be coaches in the home stands, Santagata opted to punt on fourth-and-2, placing trust in his defense to hold down the fort. The ploy worked like a charm as the punt rolled all the way to the 4, putting Scioto
in a tough bind.
On a third-and-4 play, DeMars was intercepted by Trevor Parker, who returned it to the Scioto 10.
“For our defense, at least, that was the big play of the game,” Kohl said. “When Coach decided to punt it away on fourth down, everyone on the defense knew what we had to do. The game was put on our shoulders.”
While complimentary of Darby’s play, Scioto coach Karl Johnson rued his team’s three second-half turnovers.
“It all started when (the Panthers) recovered our onside kick to open the second half and scored immediately after that,” he said.
“They made the plays and we didn’t, and they deserve all the credit in the world.”
By Steve Blackledge
The Columbus Dispatch
Hilliard Darby and Dublin Scioto spent much of the second half of an
Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division showdown last night trying to prove their manhood.
It was only fitting that the outcome ultimately was decided on a
fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard-line in the final two minutes.
“This is the kind of situation we work toward every day in practice,” Hilliard Darby senior quarterback Chase Longwell said. “We talk all the time about fighting tooth and nail for that inch and we would get it.”
Following fullback Cameron Kohl and the left side of his line, Longwell picked up the yard on a sneak reminiscent of one a week earlier, rallying host Darby to a 28-24 victory over Scioto that preserved its perfect season.
“It was the same play we ran against Westerville South in our own territory on fourth-and-1 last week,” Longwell said. “There was no question we were going to go for it. I don’t think there was even any thought of kicking the field
goal. All night, it was a battle to see who could out-tough each other and we knew we just had to man up and get that yard.”
Panthers coach John Santagata said the decision to go for it was simple.
“It’s one yard in the scheme of life,” he said. “You just have to make a decision and follow your heart. I have all the faith in the world in these guys that we’re going to get that yard. We practice those situations all the time. That’s one of our bread-and-butter plays, letting Chase tuck himself in behind the left side of the line and follow them in. It was an exciting way to end a great football game.”
Actually, Darby (8-0, 5-0) had to repel one final opportunity by Scioto (6-2, 4-1).
Quarterback Evan DeMars connected with Travis Yates and Tim Shadoan on respective pass plays of 37 and 21 yards to reach the Darby 34. But an intentional-grounding penalty eventually forced the Irish into a fourth-and-27, and a long pass by DeMars was batted down by Caleb Day to end the threat.
Darby showed plenty of fortitude in coming back from deficits of 17-7 and 24-14.
Six plays after recovering a Scioto fumble near midfield, Darby cashed in as Day took a pitchout and raced 28 yards for a touchdown.
The Irish blew another golden opportunity when all-purpose threat Shadoan was stripped from behind on a long run and Darby recovered at its own 32 with 7:57 remaining.
To the dismay of some would-be coaches in the home stands, Santagata opted to punt on fourth-and-2, placing trust in his defense to hold down the fort. The ploy worked like a charm as the punt rolled all the way to the 4, putting Scioto
in a tough bind.
On a third-and-4 play, DeMars was intercepted by Trevor Parker, who returned it to the Scioto 10.
“For our defense, at least, that was the big play of the game,” Kohl said. “When Coach decided to punt it away on fourth down, everyone on the defense knew what we had to do. The game was put on our shoulders.”
While complimentary of Darby’s play, Scioto coach Karl Johnson rued his team’s three second-half turnovers.
“It all started when (the Panthers) recovered our onside kick to open the second half and scored immediately after that,” he said.
“They made the plays and we didn’t, and they deserve all the credit in the world.”