Panthers beat Cavaliers on the road to keep the FAC title hopes alive
By: Tyler Bush
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WOUB) – The Chillicothe Cavaliers (6-1) played host to Miami Trace Panthers (6-1) this Friday in a matchup that could eventually decide the FAC title. The Panthers would come in and take a road win, 28-14.
The Cavaliers would look to get things started early off the back of their run game. After their first drive down the field, it would be Cartae Ligon who would reach the endzone first on an 11-yard run to put Chillicothe up 7-0.
But Miami Trace wouldn’t let this lead stand for long. Running back Julian Baker would help the Panthers force their way downfield and would ultimately be the man to tie things up in what was clearly becoming a running back battle.
Action would stall for the rest of the opening quarter and for much of the second as well, with neither team able to get on the board. The Panthers would soon change that, as Baron Phipps would throw a 26-yard score through the air, putting them in control of this game. Chillicothe would try to answer before the half ended but would get stopped on their drive as they would head into the break down 14-7.
The second half would yield much of the same, as both teams would struggle to get offense going on the ground against the stout defenses. However, it would be Baker once again igniting the Miami Trace offense as he broke away for a 75-yard run all the way to the house to put the Panthers up two scores.
The next drive, it would be Ligon’s turn to answer as a huge run would put them in scoring position and would be capitalized on with a short touchdown. The Cavaliers would draw within one score as Trace leads 21-14.
The Panthers would have the opportunity to put this game away late in the final quarter, and after a fake punt, Phipps would find his man again in the endzone to double Chillicothe’s lead. A quick Cavalier drive would end in a pick, and the Panthers would take home a win 28-14.
Chillicothe falls to 6-1 and will try to get back in the win column against Washington Court House, while Miami Trace now sits at 6-1 and will face off against Hillsboro next week as they try to keep their streak alive.