The Buckeyes stun the Bulldogs at Home
By: Thomas Billington
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NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WOUB)- Nelsonville-York’s Boston Field played host to a late season rivalry matchup. A game that put the unbeaten Athens Bulldogs against the hometown Buckeyes. Both teams would be fighting for the TVC-Ohio crown.
The game would start off with both teams moving the ball on the ground. On Athens’ first drive the Bulldogs would hand the ball off to Senior Alex Pero, and he would go off, running for 24 yards.
However, both teams would not manage to find the end zone in the first. The Buckeyes would march the ball down the field to end the half scoring on an eight yard rush from junior Austin Gautier. This put the Buckeyes up 7-0.
Athens would not be out of the game yet. Wide receiver Leo Martin would return the punt all the way to the Buckeyes own 17-yard line. This allowed Alex Pero to finish off the drive, scoring with a one-yard touchdown rush. The extra point would be good, tying the score up at seven all.
NY wouldn’t let the first half of the game escape from their grasps without scoring again. The Buckeyes would bust out the flea flicker to get the down to the six-yard line. Nelsonville-York would keep up their offensive speed. The Buckeyes would score just two plays later. However, NY’s extra point attempt would be no good, making the score 13-7 in favor of the Buckeyes to end the first half.
The third quarter was full of action, but no scoring as both teams would be stopped by the other defense. However Nelsonville-York would make it into field goal range. The three-point attempt was blocked by Athens.
With that blockage the momentum was back on the Bulldogs side as both the fans and the team began to feel the hype. A 48-yard touchdown pass to Martin would validate that hype. With the PAT being good, the Bulldogs gained the lead for the first time in this game, but the lead would still be tight. The bulldogs would lead 14-13.
A sack forced the Buckeyes to punt on their next drive. But the Bulldogs would be able to capitalize as they would be forced to punt on their subsequent drive.
The Buckeye would be given the ball at their own seven yard line with just 5:36 left in the game. Nelsonville-York would manage to get the ball down within the 15-yard line with just 1:18 left remaining. A series of runs would get the Buckeyes within the one yard line, with only three seconds remaining. A run from Dakota Cunningham int end zone put away the Bulldogs, with a final score of 19 to 14.
With this win the Buckeyes won the TVC-Ohio Championship, and will look to host a playoff game next week. Athens will still host a game next week, but will have to deal with this lost in their review mirror.