by Hunting Valley, Ohio – The 2020 version of the Som Center Road Rivalry lived up to top billing Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore running back Santino Harper scored three times (all in the second half), including the go-ahead touchdown with 13 seconds left. This would to propel visiting Gilmour Academy to a 26-21 victory over host University School.
University got things started early on, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. On the very next play, senior running back Nick Flowers did the rest, taking the handoff 28 yards to the house. This gave the Preppers the early 7-0 lead.
Flowers would add another touchdown run, this one from five yards out, to increase the lead to 14-0.
After a Charlie Shepherd interception, the Lancers would march down the field.
Thomas Richardson would punch it in from a couple yards out, cutting the deficit to 14-6.
On the ensuing drive, freshman quarterback Jackson Boland called his own number. He scampered 47 yards to the end zone to increase the lead to 21-6.
Both teams had an outstanding ground game. Gilmour would flex their muscle in the second half.
Santino Harper scored the first of his three second-half touchdowns in the third quarter. His 79-yard scamper and two-point conversion brought Gilmour to within 21-14.
After a punt, Harper would scurry for another long touchdown run. University blocked the point after, clinging to a 21-20 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Attempting to run out the clock, the Preppers went to their bread and butter known as their ground game. Nick Flowers converted three straight fourth downs, helping to move the ball down the field.
But the Gilmour defense held firm and stopped a fourth conversion, taking over on downs.
The University defense would also hold on downs, stopping Gilmour’s running game temporarily.
Later in the drive, it looked as if Nick Flowers would score his third rushing touchdown of the game, all but ensuring a Prepper victory. However, the score was called back due to a holding penalty.
Gilmour got a huge stop on fourth down and took over with 47 seconds remaining.
With no timeouts left, the Lancers had to pass the ball. Thomas Richardson went 4 of 14 passing for 66 yards. But he had three huge completions on the last drive to help move Gilmour down the field.
His latest completion, to Santino Harper, gave the Lancers the 26-21 lead. And the defense broke up a pass on the following possession, setting off a victorious celebration.
“Every single game that we’ve played, we’ve been in it. To come back and shut them down defensively in the second half is impressive. These guys did a fantastic job of executing both sides of the ball.” said Gilmour head coach Chris Kosiorek.
Gilmour Academy ends the regular season at 3-3 overall. They will travel to East Liverpool to begin postseason play in Division IV, Region 13.
“I’m very impressed with the way they played as a team. We had a chance to finish and we didn’t finish, and that’s on me.” said University School head coach Ben Malbasa. “I’m proud of the way our team fought. We put ourselves in a situation to win the game and they made a great play. They’re a good football team.”
In a losing effort, University School senior running back Nick Flowers had 33 carries for 178 yards and a pair of scores. Freshman quarterback Jackson Boland had 11 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown.
University School drops to 1-5 overall. They will travel to Kent Roosevelt to begin postseason play in Division II, Region 5.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: RB Santino Harper (Sophomore): 26 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs, GW 13-yard TD reception
