by Palmyra, Ohio – It was a total team effort on both sides of the ball, as Southeast opened up postseason play with a 35-6 win over visiting Beaver Local in Division V, Region 17 play.
Late in the first quarter, junior Jaidyn Sapp used his legs to help move the Pirates down the field. He would cap the drive by going into the end zone from a yard out to put Southeast up 7-0 with 2:09 left in the first quarter.
After a Panthers punt pinned Southeast inside their own five, the Pirates marched right down the field, and Sapp, once again, capped off the drive with his second touchdown of the game. This came from nine yards out, and increased the Pirate lead to 14-0.
Buckeye Local marched down the field, looking to put points on the board. Senior quarterback Hayden Taylor completed a couple passes to move the Panthers down the field. They also benefitted from a couple penalties and found themselves inside the ten-yard line. But the Southeast defense stood firm, securing a goal-line stand and taking over on downs.
On fourth down, with less than twenty seconds left, junior quarterback Aidan Fischer called his own number and took it 55 yards to the end zone. His score increased the Pirates lead to 21-0 going into the halftime break.
“It was a huge momentum swing. I was just gonna run out of bounds there before the touchdown. We knew we had the game sealed right there.” said Fischer.
“Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good, and (Aidan Fischer)’s a heck of an athlete. Sometimes he does some things that are really helpful and big, and he is a great athlete.” said Southeast head coach Patrick Youel. “He’s continuing to grow and develop and gain confidence. The sky’s the limit because he’s a phenomenal athlete and a better young man. I’m super proud of him.” he added.
Fischer had 20 carries for 168 yards and a pair of scores and junior Jaidyn Sapp had 18 carries for 153 yards and two scores before leaving the game in the third quarter due to injury.
“I give all the credit to the O-Line. They blocked, opened up holes for us. This is gonna carry us momentum wise for the next couple games we have.” said Sapp.
Southeast started off the second half the same way they ended the first. By putting points on the board.
They took advantage of a short field thanks to recovering an onside kick attempt. Aidan Fischer would do the rest, taking a bootleg 17 yards to the house for his second score of the game. This increased the lead to 28-0.
Later on in the quarter, senior Hayden Kittle added to the lead with a two-yard touchdown run of his own.
This would trigger the running clock and increase the lead to 35-0.
“It means the world to all of us to get the win. It’s a blessing that we get to play a game that we all love, and at our home field.” said Kittle.
In the fourth, Buckeye Local defensive end Tyler Donahue picked off a pass and returned it to the Pirate 15. A few plays later, freshman Noah Kourim punched it in from nine yards out to put the Panthers on the board for the final points of the game.
“They took away our run game. Although we threw the ball very well, we just didn’t capitalize, and credit to them. They capitalized on the line of scrimmage and drove the ball pretty well.” said Buckeye Local head coach Roger Herbert.
Saturday afternoon’s victory was not only the first playoff win at the Pirates home stadium, but the first playoff win in school history.
“It is a huge win for our program and for everyone involved. Our seniors deserve this opportunity to play on this field. To get our first ever playoff victory in our first ever home playoff game is incredible. We’re gonna continue to get better and this group gets to stay together for one more week, which is awesome.” said Southeast head coach Pat Youel.
Southeast improves to 4-3 and advances to the next round. They will take on Columbiana Crestview next week.
For the Panthers, senior quarterback Hayden Taylor went 11 of 23 passing for 94 yards. Senior wide receiver Brian Palmer Jr. had six catches for 67 yards.
Buckeye Local drops to 1-6 and plays at Newcomerstown next Friday.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Southeast QB Aidan Fischer (Junior)
The junior signal caller had a whale of a game, with a pair of rushing touchdowns, including a 55-yarder late in the first half to give the Pirates some much needed momentum.
