Sports
Philo Helps Playoff Self with Win Over New Lexington
By: Taylor Jedrzejek
Posted on:
Philo came into Week 10 needing a win and some help to advance into the postseason.
The Electrics (7-3, 6-2 Muskingum Valley League) did their part on Friday night by defeating New Lexington 28-10.
And, by way of the Indian Valley Braves and the Teays Valley Vikings, they got their help and have clinched a spot in the Division 4, Region 15 playoffs.
The Panthers (3-7, 3-5 MVL) started off on the right foot, driving 65 yards in nine plays, but the drive stalled inside the five yard line and New Lexington turned the ball over on downs at the Electric two-yard line.
Philo responded with a physical drive, going the length of the field in nine plays. The 98-yard drive, all of which came on the ground, was capped off by a 6-yard touchdown run from Isaac Gill to take a 7-0 lead with 4:55 to go in the 1st quarter.
Late in the 1st, after forcing a Philo three-and-out, the Panthers C.J. Ratliff took a punt up the right side for a 56-yard punt return to tie the game at 7.
That tie was short lived however. Just over a minute later, Casey Munyan took a handoff and ran right where he found a wall of Panther defenders. Munyan, though, was able to reverse field and outrun everyone down the left sideline to score on a 58-yard run to give the Electrics a 14-7 lead with just 30 second remaining in the first quarter.
New Lexington was once again able to drive down deep into Philo territory, but was once again unable to punch the ball into the end zone. The Panthers were forced to settle for a 27-yard Andy Altman field goal to cut the Philo lead to 14-10.
The Electrics were again able to respond on their next drive, this time through the air. Gill found Hunter Hague on a quick slant to the left and Hague went 42 yards untouched into the end zone to extend the Philo lead to 11 points with just under seven minutes to play in the half.
Philo attempted a 39-yard field goal in the first half’s final minutes, but it was blocked.
To start the second half, Philo picked up right where they left off. After recovering the Panthers’ onside kick attempt, the Electrics were able to drive 57 yards in just six plays, once again capped off by a Munyan run, to take an 18 point lead, 28-10, with 9:26 left in the 3rd.
Munyan led the way on the ground for the Electrics, rushing for 109 yards and two scores. Gill finished with 221 total yards, 118 through the air and 103 on the ground, and two touchdowns.
The Philo defense gave up just three points and only 203 total yards.
Unofficially, the Electrics will travel to St. Clairsville to face the 8-2 Red Devils in the No. 2 and No. 7 matchup in Region 15.