Bloom-Carroll once again hoists the Region 15 trophy after win over St. Clairsville
By: Bryce Tinson
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ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — The undefeated Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs met the one loss St. Clairsville Red Devils in the division four regional final. This game was a rematch of last year’s 40-0 drubbing of the Red Devils, in the very same round. This one played out a little different than last year’s game.
We start with the very first drive of the game. The B.C. Bulldogs were methodical in their attack. They ran the ball the majority of the drive,12 of 14 plays, picking up little chunks here and there all the way down to the four yard line. Chase Plantz would put it in from there giving the Bulldogs a seven point lead. The drive took 6:34 off the clock.
The Red Devils got the ball back and would run out the rest of the clock in the first quarter, but get nothing out of it. There would be a lot of punts between the two teams. Neither one could get it going on offense, but the defenses were having a field day. Four straight punts were forced, followed by two forced turnover on downs. The score going into halftime was still 7-0.
Coming out of the break, St. Clairsville got the ball and they marched all the way down to the two yard line, but B.C. said not so fast. They stuffed them on three consecutive plays. After a false start, the Red Devils settled for a 28-yard field goal.
The Bulldogs responded with a three and out, losing five yards on the ensuing drive before punting. They made up for it on the defensive end as Beau Wisecarver picked off Andrew Vera in B.C. territory.
The Bulldogs had their way with the St. Clairsville defense on that next drive, scoring in eight plays. Chase Plantz found the end zone for the second time, this time from five yards out. After the extra point, B.C. was up two scores, 14-3.
The Red Devils tried to respond, but Andrew Vera was picked off again. This time it was Andrew Marshall ball hawking the middle of the field. B.C. tried to extend their lead, but a Dylan Armentrout fumble gave the ball back to St. C with just under six minutes left. However, on the very next play the Red Devils try to go vertical, but it’s picked again. Branyon Dodds all but sealed the deal for the Bulldogs. B.C. ran out the remaining clock to capture their second consecutive regional title.
B.C. finished with 251 yards of total offense with 191 coming on the ground. It was the time of possession that won them the game. They had the ball for 29:46 compared to just 18:14 for St. C.
It was an ugly win, but the Bulldogs got it done and will now face Clinton-Massie in the final four.