by Mansfield, OH: For the first time in the last four years, the St. Edward Eagles (9-6) will watch the Division I Championship from home following a 21-7 loss to Olentangy Liberty (13-2) in the semifinals. Mr. Football candidate Andrew Leonard did it all for the Patriots, throwing for 136 yards and a touchdown and adding another 38 yards and a score on the ground. For the Eagles, senior Bradley Eaton led the way with 80 yards rushing.
First Half
The Eagles won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff, but it wouldn’t take long for disaster to strike. On the first play of the drive, Thomas Csanyi threw and interception to Carter Kuhn who returned it for a touchdown. Luckily for St. Edward, a block in the back was called, negating the touchdown. On the fourth play for the Patriots, Andrew Leonard called his own number and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown, putting Liberty up 7-0 early.
The Eagles would give the ball right back on the kickoff, coughing it up and giving the Patriots the ball at the St. Edward 30. This time the defense would stand strong and force a 43-yard field goal that sailed wide left, giving the ball back to St. Edward. The Eagles would work their way down to the Liberty 26, but were stuffed on fourth down.
With just under six minutes remaining in the first half, the Patriots started their drive at the Eagles’ 20. Liberty ran nearly all of the remaining time off the clock, setting up a 35-yard field goal attempt that once again sailed wide left. St. Edward would take a knee to drain the remaining 16 seconds and went into the half down 7-0.
Second Half
After forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive, the Eagles began their first drive of the half at their 22. On the third play, the Eagles turned the ball over again, this time a fumble recovery by Austin Stamp that gave Liberty the ball at the Ed’s 39. Jake Struck took the first down handoff 39 yards for another Patriots touchdown, putting them up 14-0.
With just over six minutes remaining in the third, St. Edward would put together one of their more impressive drives of the game. On 4th & 12 from the Patriots’ 25, Csanyi completed a pass to Luke Hess but it was three yards short, giving the ball back to Liberty.
It wouldn’t take long for the Patriots to strike as, on the third play, Leonard found a wide-open Christian Moulton who sprinted 80 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was initially ruled no good, but after an official’s conference they overturned the call, putting the Patriots up 21-0 late in the third.
When they needed it the most, St. Edward pieced together there most impressive drive of the evening. Starting on their 28, the Eagles went 78 yards in 15 plays, capped off by a three-yard plunge from Nate Gregory that drew them closer at 21-7 with about seven minutes left.
St. Edward would get one last chance with three and a half minutes to go but couldn’t move the ball, going four-and-out and giving Liberty an opportunity to run out the clock. It took six plays, but the Patriots ran out the final 2:37 to seal a 21-7 victory and send them to next Friday’s Division I State Championship.
Next Week
Olentangy Liberty advances to the Division I State Championship where they will square off with Archbishop Moeller (14-1). The Crusaders advanced to the championship game with a 49-10 running clock victory over Centerville. The kickoff is scheduled for Friday night at 7 pm at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Top Performers
Olentangy Liberty Patriots
Andrew Leonard: 7-12 136 yards TD 13 carries 38 yards TD
Jake Struck: 15 carries 125 yards TD
Christian Moulton: 3 catches 96 yards TD
St. Edward Eagles
Bradley Eaton: 16 carries 80 yards
Thomas Csanyi: 9-18 79 yards INT 8 carries 14 yards
Nate Gregory: 5 carries 27 yards TD
Joe Saffold: 5 catches 44 yards
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Liberty 9:42- Andrew Leonard, 17-yard run (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Liberty 9:15- Jake Struck, 39-yard run (kick good)
Liberty 0:43- Andrew Leonard to Christian Moulton, 80 yards (kick good)
4th Quarter
St. Edward 7:14- Nate Gregory, 3-yard run (kick good)
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
FINAL |
|
| Liberty |
7 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
21 |
| St. Edward |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
