Meadowbrook Colts showcase a sturdy rushing attack to stampede Vinton County
By: Bryce Tinson, Erin Ashley
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BYESVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — The Meadowbrook Colts (8-2) welcomed in the Vinton County Vikings (6-3) in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs. The Colts, MVL champions in the small school division, came into this one on a four-game winning streak that saw them score at least 28 points in each game. The Vikings, on the other hand, had split their last four games.
The game got started with a Meadowbrook drive that took seven plays. Kaden Casey was the feature, rushing three times for 49 yards with a long of 32. That 32-yard rush would set the Colts up in at the 10-yard line. Josh Hupp capped the drive on the next play with a 10-yard QB keep.
Vinton County’s first drive stalled out after a quick first down from Broc Moore. They would be forced to punt after just five plays. Meadowbrook’s defense was swarming.
The very first play after the punt, Casey took the ball 78 yards to the house. He found a crease and hit it, leaving every Viking defender in his dust. That wouldn’t be the first time Casey would find the end zone.
Vinton County looked to respond, but again would stall after a promising start to the drive. Moore started with five straight carries, gaining 22 yards. On their next four plays they gained just four yards. They went for it on fourth down, but failed to convert, giving the Colts the ball back.
Meadowbrook would start the drive throwing four of their first five plays. They gained 29 yards on those four plays. The Colts kept to the ground the rest of the way. Casey found the end zone again, this time from seven-yards out, capping off the 10-play drive.
The Vikings would struggle again on their next drive. They ran two plays; one for negative three yards, the other resulting in a fumble recovered by Meadowbrook.
The Colts wouldn’t let the great field position go to waste. They moved down the field methodically, getting all the way down to the one. Who else, but Kaden Casey? He punches it in for his third score of the first half. He would rush for 144 yards in the first half on just eight carries. Meadowbrook went up 28-0 with that score.
Vinton County would finally get their first points with a 40-yard touchdown run from Zayne Karr, on a drive that only needed five plays. They cut the lead to three scores.
Right before the half, the Colts would put this game out of reach. Hupp stretched the defense downfield, finding Hunter Eubanks behind the safeties for the score. Meadowbrook took a 35-14 lead into halftime and would steamroll 64-34.
Vinton County finishes the season 6-4 after their second straight postseason appearance. Meadowbrook, now 9-2, will face the John Glenn Muskies in the second round. They lost to the Muskies 35-7 back in September and will look to get some revenge in the regional quarterfinals.