by Ravennna, Ohio – The top seeded West Branch Warriors defeated #13 seed Akron Buchtel, 41-33, on Saturday night in Division IV, Region 13 action.
Buchtel got off to a great start, when Marques Turner recovered a fumble on defense. They would capitalize as sophomore quarterback Stevie Diamond tossed a seven-yard touchdown to classmate Demetrius Coats.
West Branch got on the board when sophomore tailback Boston Mulinix took a carry 14 yards to the house. The ensuing two-point try failed, and the Warriors trailed 7-6.
Buchtel would respond with a score of their own.
Stevie Diamond tossed his second score of the game, this time finding Dakota Taylor from ten yards out. This increase the Griffins lead to 14-6 as the first quarter drew to a close.
A snap over the punter’s head gave Buchtel great field position at the West Branch 19. But the Griffs were held to a 33 yard field goal from junior kicker Demetrion Duvall, padding their lead to 17-6.
West Branch responded, marching down the field and capping their drive with a 13-yard touchdown run from Dru DeShields. He converted the ensuing two point try, and the Warriors cut their deficit to 17-14 with 5:02 left in the second quarter.
The Warriors took the lead, as DeShields scored his second rushing touchdown, this time from 11 yards out. West Branch took the lead, 21-17, with 2:53 left in the second quarter.
After a fumble recovery, the Warrior defense struck again.
Dru Deshields found Joey Jackson for a 57-yard touchdown toss to increase the Warrior lead to 28-17 going into the half.
Demetrion Duvall had an impressive 61-yard punt that rolled to the West Branch 4. However, the Warriors marched down the field, capping their drive when Dru DeShields found senior Christian Martig for a 34-yard touchdown reception. This increased the lead to 34-17 with 2:13 left in the third.
However, Buchtel would not go quietly.
Stevie Diamond tossed a 79-yard bomb to Zyaire Lewis to cut the deficit to 34-24 with 8:48 left. Lewis also had an interception on defense in the first quarter.
West Branch would counter when Dru DeShields connected with Christian Martig once again, this time from 44 yards out, to bump the lead to 41-24.
Buchtel responded when Diamond tossed his fourth score of the evening to senior receiver Marcel Boyce Jr. from seven yards out. This made the score 41-31 with 2:53 to play.
The Griffins had a huge stop on defense to force a West Branch punt. However, the snap went over the punter’s head, and the Griffins got a safety sack to cut their deficit to 41-33 with 1:45 left.
Travantae Fletcher took the ensuing free kick to the 22-yard line, and barely stepped out of bounds, nullifying a forced fumble that would have been recovered by West Branch.
The Warriors made one last stop to clinch the victory and advance to the regional championship game for the second straight year. They will face Jefferson, who knocked off Canton South, 49-35, in the other regional semifinal.
Dru DeShields went 30 of 41 passing for 391 yards and three scores. Christian Martig had ten of those catches for 209 yards and a pair of scores.
Akron Buchtel ends their season at 7-5. They rallied from an 0-4 start to pick up five straight wins, and a pair of huge road wins in the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs. The Griffins will be a force for years to come.
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