Joey Moore tackled
Athens QB Joey Moore is tackled by multiple Buckeye defenders during the Bulldogs game against Nelsonville-York. (Evann Figueroa/WOUB)

Buckeyes Secure Share Of Conference Title With Win Over Athens

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THE PLAINS, Ohio- The Nelsonville-York Buckeyes froze the Athens Bulldogs in place, as they snapped their three game win streak Friday with a 35-28 victory on the first frigid night of the season.

The Bulldogs went into the night celebrating a share of the TVC-Ohio championship as well as their senior night. They weren’t looking to settle for that as a win over the Buckeyes would give them the ultimate bragging rights for the conference championship trophy. 

Nelsonville-York had other things on there mind as they spoiled Athens senior night and won their share of the conference title.

The Bulldogs were the first strike and took an early lead. They marched down the field 42 yards on six rushes, the last run being a ten yard quarterback run by Joey Moore.

On the next drive the Buckeyes answered with a 42-yard rushing touchdown from Mikey Seele, after starting their drive on their own 29-yard line. They tied the score up at seven points a piece.

Nelsonville-York had a trick up their sleeve when they went to kick the ball off on the next drive, as they caught Athens off guard and recovered a surprise onside kick. Keegan Wilburn put another seven points up on the scoreboard for the Buckeyes with a 10-yard touchdown run.

The Buckeyes would extend upon their lead as they put up two more touchdowns before the end of the third quarter. They led Athens 28-7.

The Captains attend the Coin Toss before the Athens-Nelsonville-York game on Friday. (Evann Figueroa/WOUB)
Reece Wallace breaks through the banner before the Athens-Nelsonville-York game on Friday. (Evann Figueroa/WOUB)
Braeden Halbert stands at the front of the line during the National Anthem before the Athens-Nelsonville-York game on Friday. (Evann Figueroa/WOUB)
Braeden Halbert stands at the front of the line during the National Anthem before the Athens-Nelsonville-York game on Friday. (Evann Figueroa/WOUB)

The Bulldogs weren’t ready to give up, and still had some fight left in them. They fought back and went toe to toe with Nelsonville-York until the end. In a last second attempt, with his team down by a touchdown, Joey Moore threw up a pass to Braedan Halbert, but the pass was picked off by Brandon Phillips.

This interception would be the end of Athens exciting comeback and the beginning of the Buckeyes celebration as they clinched a share of the conference title.

Nelsonville-York totaled up over 400-yards with their impressive offensive performance. Wilburn showed no mercy as he put up a combined 163 yards and two touchdowns. 

With a win on Friday the Buckeyes kept their playoff hopes alive and will wait to see how the cards play out. No matter the result, both teams capped off an impressive season and earned their share of the elusive TVC-Ohio title.