by The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs came into the playoffs as sixth seed, as they hosted the Valley Forge Patriots the 16th seed. Olmsted Falls had a solid season as they took a piece of the SWC title, with their only loss coming out as 9-2 on the year. Valley Forge had a good year with a 6-3 record with only one loss in the Great Lakes conference.
Both teams have a similar style on offense. Olmsted Falls runs a wing-t formation as they use the triple option. Valley Forge runs a wing-t formation as well using flip power to get their running backs open out in space.
Valley Forge would get the ball first, as they would try to start off strong with their first possession of the game. The Patriots would be able to drive down the field on their first possession, as Kentrell Marks would be the man that punched in for six on a 4th and goal. The extra point would follow making the game (7-0).
Despite giving up the quick touchdown the Bulldogs would explode out of the gate with a 25-yard run from last week’s player of the week Rocco Conti. Senior QB Charlie Ciolek threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Carson Atkins (8-7).
The Bulldogs stopped Valley Forge in their own end, forcing a missed field goal, giving Olmsted falls the ball on their own 25. They would respond with a three-minute possession and drove right down the field. Luke Dieckman capped off the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run (15-7).
Both teams fought the penalty and turnover battle for the remainder of the half.
The Patriots had a touchdown taken back and moved back to their own 10, while the Bulldogs fumbled the ball the possession before.
A bad punt with 34 seconds left in the half would put the Bulldogs just outside the 20. Rocco Conti punched in his first touchdown of the playoffs off a 4-yard run, increasing the Bulldogs lead. Conti would also tally the two-point conversion.
The Bulldogs received the ball to start the half but failed to finish the drive due to penalties pushing them back. Both teams would go back-to-back possessions without scoring before the Bulldogs were able to tack on seven more. Conti struck paydirt again on a 2-yard run at the beginning of the half (30-7).
Valley Forge finally scored again in the fourth quarter off an Eddie Starks 27-yard run that would make the game a little bit closer with 6:32 left in the game (30-15 Bulldogs). The Bulldogs would then ice the game.
Valley Forge ends their season with a record of 6-4. The backfield combo of Marks and Starks would have a great day despite the loss. They combined for 265 plus yards and two rushing touchdowns a piece on the day.
Olmsted Falls moves on to the second round of the playoffs. They once again dominated the ground game, scoring three rushing touchdowns and totaling over 330 yards on the ground. Olmsted Falls will make the drive to Barberton for the second round of the playoffs.
Rocco Conti is once again the player of the game for the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs with a total of 12 carries for 106 yards, two touchdowns and a 2-pt conversion. He led his team in rushing yards and touchdowns.
