by Perry, Ohio – Thanks to a dominant ground game, the Glenville Tarblooders advanced to their first state championship game since 2013 with a 52-7 win over Jefferson.
Glenville got things started early and often.
The Tarblooders moved the ball into the red zone, but Jefferson came up with a huge stop to take over on downs. A short punt gave Glenville great field position, and they took advantage. Junior D’Shawntae Jones ran for a 30-yard touchdown. The ensuing two-point try was good and the Tarblooders led 8-0 early in the first.
Damon Rueschling recovered a fumble for the Jefferson defense, but the Falcons couldn’t take advantage.
Glenville rode the legs of D’Shawntae Jones, as he ran for a 15-yard touchdown. After another successful conversion, the Tarblooders led 16-0 with 1:44 left in the first.
After another defensive stop, Jones took a handoff 25 yards to the house. One more successful two-point try made the lead 24-0 early in the second.
After a punt pinned Glenville inside their own 20, Micquan Gravely had a huge gain on the ground to flip the field. He would score a couple of plays later to increase the lead to 30-0.
After a pair of penalties and a first down, Jefferson had the ball at the Glenville 12, looking to score. However, Keiton Murray forced a fumble on a strip sack. Ohio State commit Arvell Reese recovered.
They would march down the field and cap their drive when senior quarterback Deonte Rucker found Milique Herron for a 23-yard touchdown reception.
Glenville went into the half up 36-0.
The Tarblooders would add a couple more scores in the second half. First, Deonte Rucker scampered for a 44 yard touchdown run. He would also toss a 98-yard touchdown to junior tight end Dimarion Witten in the fourth quarter. These scores increased the lead to 52-0 with 8:44 left.
Jefferson would get on the scoreboard when Kaige Boczar found Grant Hitchcock for a 60-yard touchdown toss with 7:34 left.
Glenville advances to play against Cincinnati Wyoming in the Division IV State Championship Game at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm.
Jefferson finishes its season at 11-4. They won their first regional championship in school history last week, and became the first school to make it to the state final four from Ashtabula County.
