Chillicothe’s first season under Carper ends in loss to Archbishop McNicholas
By: Grant Kiefer
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CINCINNATI, Ohio (WOUB) – Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50 had Archbishop McNicholas (7-4, 3-2 GCL-North) as the projected 12 seed. However, after upsetting undefeated Badin, the Rockets shot up the rankings to host a playoff game. Chillicothe’s (6-5, 3-2 FAC) trek to the east side of Cincinnati was its first playoff appearance since 2022 and the team’s first under first-year head coach TJ Carper. However, the trip was unsuccessful, as the Cavaliers fell to the Rockets, 34-7.
The game started with a disaster for Chillicothe. Junior QB Andrew Hamman wanted to set the tone early with a deep ball, but McNicholas senior Zayden Harvey had other plans. He took it all the way to the house to put the Rockets up 7-0 before the offense even possessed the ball.
McNicholas’ first drive on offense began after a Chillicothe three-and-out, but that would end in disaster as well, as the Rockets fumbled on the first play of the drive and gave the ball right back. The Cavaliers capitalized on the great starting field position, as standout sophomore Cartae Ligon punched it in from goal to go to tie the game at 7-7.
The Rockets’ response was quick, as sophomore RB Joseph Reuss found a gap in the line and went into the end zone untouched from more than 50 yards out, putting McNicholas back ahead 14-7.
Both teams traded turnovers and missed opportunities deep into the second quarter, but the Rockets would close the half in style. Senior RB Caleb Naumann punched it in to go up 21-7, heading into halftime. Twenty-one points in a game where both teams wanted to eat the clock felt like a major victory.
That total would get to 28 immediately in the second half, as senior Zarius Harvey would go 37 yards untouched to extend the Rockets’ lead to three scores. Ultimately, Chillicothe’s season would end with a blowout loss.