Sports
Meigs falls to last-second interception, ends season
By: Phoenix Brown
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POMEROY, Ohio (WOUB) — On a picture-perfect evening in Pomeroy, Ohio, the Meigs Marauders (7-3) welcomed the Piketon Redstreaks (6-4) in the first round of the OHSAA Region 19 Division V playoffs.
The Marauder offense started this match quickly, as the senior Gunner Cleland darted a 3-yard pass into the arms of Brayden Goble for the first Meigs touchdown of the night. With a successful extra point attempt by Luke Roush, the Marauders led by seven to end the first quarter.
With a pass-heavy drive by Piketon, Bravien Oliver sent a pass into the night sky, ending up in Tristen Bodicker’s leaping hands to start the scoring for Piketon. After a successful extra point, Piketon tied the match up going into halftime in Pomeroy.
The Maruaders displayed a powerful example of ground-and-pound football throughout the second quarter, as Gunner Cleland scrambled through the Piketon defense and into the end zone to give Meigs the much-needed lead. Midway through the fourth, the Marauders held the 13 to seven after an unsuccessful extra point attempt.
A quick, defense-focused third quarter brought into the fourth still tied, as Tanner Loar charged through the right side of the end zone to swing the momentum back Piketon’s way. After a successful extra point attempt, the Redstreaks claimed the one-point lead from Meigs.
With two minutes left after the touchdown, the Marauders focused on the power of Gunner Cleland’s arm with consecutive 15-yard passes, bringing Meigs to the 20-yard line. Cleland sent a shot of hope to a contested Marauder, but Piketon’s Braxton Walters snatched it out of the air to bring relief to his Redstreaks. As the clock ran down, Meigs season came to a heartbreaking halt.
Meigs’ season ends with an overall record of 7-2, with a 3-5 conference record. For the Piketon Redstreaks, they continue their season’s campaign as they take on Fort Frye (9-1)—who is coming off a bye week—on Nov. 6 in the regional quarterfinals.