London swoops playoff victory in back and forth battle against Zanesville
By: Carl Blalock, Joe Collins
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LONDON, Ohio (WOUB) — Defense wins championships, as the old adage goes and in London Friday night it was clear that the defenses would need to step up for victory. For the London Red Raiders defense, they accepted and completed that assignment.
After London fumbled on their first possession, their defense was able to hold Zanesville, thanks in part to a botched Blue Devil snap on a 4th down in the red zone.
London used the momentum to go on a clock chewing six-minute drive which culminated in an Antwaun Burns touchdown from 1 yard out to put London up 7-0. Zanesville responded with another long drive, but again the Red Raider defense held firm in the red zone and forced an interception.
London added a field goal before the half to take a 10-0 lead into the break.
Zanesville would open the second half with another red zone trip, however the London defense once again held firm to deny the Blue Devils once again. Then the Red Raiders put the nail in the coffin on the next drive as freshman RB Noah Sollars took a rush left of the tackle and ran 51 yards to the end zone for the touchdown.
Zanesville was unable to gain traction on offense after the touchdown and London was able to coast to a 17-0 victory.
Next Friday London will host 5-seed Bishop Hartley. The Hawks defeated Miami Trace 56-14 in the first round of the playoffs.