FINDLAY - The Patrick Henry Patriots came up big on both sides of the ball against previously undefeated Liberty-Benton Friday evening to clinch a 44-27 victory along with a D-V, Region 18 regional title at Findlay's Donnell Stadium.
The win gives Patrick Henry (12-1) its third state playoff berth in the past four years.
"This is our third time in four years, but it doesn't get old," said PH mentor Bill Inselmann of his team's recent state playoff history. "We only have ten seniors, but they're very good seniors. It's a great feeling, it's our goal. It's everybody's goal every year."
Patrick Henry demonstrated excellent play from its offensive line. With several substitutions on the line and fullback Gary Cole limited to kicking duties due to injury, the Patriots still managed to rack up 307 yards rushing, including a huge game by senior running back Drew Kuesel with 212 yards and five touchdowns.
"I am very proud of our offensive line," lauded Inselmann. "(Liberty-Benton) showed a defense we hadn't worked on all week. I did not expect the 4-4. We worked all week on 4-3, cover 2."
Kuesel was also quick to praise the offensive line.
"The offensive line is amazing," stated the senior running back. "I give them full credit for every yard we gained tonight, and Tommy (Busch) had
some big throws as well. The receivers adjusted awesome, we were on pace tonight."
Also on pace was the Patrick Henry defense, which consistently came up with crucial plays and remained aware against a highly-potent Eagles offense led by sophomore quarterback Aaron Craft. While Craft accounted for 93 yards rushing and 259 yards through the air, Patrick Henry stifled running back Brandon Pickett for a mere 19 yards.
"Our game plan was to get some pressure on Craft because he's a very good athlete," said PH junior defensive tackle Cody Pettit. "We've just got to get in there and get the job done. We need to make it to state."
After the first loss for Eagles' head coach Tim Nichols to end the season at 12-1, he cited the Patriots' ability to consistently execute their game plan as the game's deciding factor.
Said Nichols: "It's weird, we've faced them three times, and they execute all the time. They just put the ball where it needs to be. Every time we got something going, they just shut the door on us in a hurry. That's what good football teams do and that's why they're gonna go and move on."
From the opening kickoff, both teams exchanged quick scores in the first quarter. Kuesel capped off the Patriots' opening drive with a 6-yard run to paydirt at 8:09 in the first, followed by a three play drive by the Eagles on their first possession which covered 72 yards and was punctuated by a 19-yard strike from Craft to senior Joel Waldman.
While Patrick Henry jumped out to a 21-7 lead on a 1-yard blast by Kuesel with 11:06 left to play in the first half, the deciding factor in the game may very well have come in the last two minutes of the half.
With possession at their own 24, Craft, who also leads the Liberty-Benton defense at safety, intercepted a pass from PH signal-caller Tom Busch and scampered 40 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Eagles to within 21-14 with 2:19 showing in the second stanza.
However, after holding the Patriots to a three-and-out and a chance to tie the game, some trickery on the part of the Eagles went terribly wrong.
On the final play of the half from the L-B 48 yard line, Craft hit Waldman with a short pass. Waldman avoided a stop by pitching a lateral to Eagles' receiver Kerry Cramner, who in turn attempted a no-look lateral to ...
Absolutely nobody.
Patrick Henry DB Zach Botjer scooped up the loose ball on the hop and raced 59 yards for a score to give make it 28-14, Patriots, at the intermission.
"It took the right bounce and came right to me, and it was off to the races," said Botjer. "The lockerroom was crazy. Everyone was up and shouting and everything. It was something to see."
"It was the most bizarre play I've been a part of in 17 years," admitted Inselmann. "That had to be demoralizing for them. The break went our way and I think the reason it was huge is because we had thrown an interception and Craft had gotten them momentum, and then we got it back. I think it was a big play."
The Patriots kept up the pressure to start the second half by forcing the Eagles to three-and-out on their opening possession and followed up with a 27-yard field goal by Cole with 7:05 showing in the third to take a commanding 31-14 lead.
Craft retaliated with a 59-yard touchdown pass to Cody Crawford for a on the following series to pull Liberty-Benton to within 31-21.
However, PH drove 66 yards over the next six plays and Kuesel scored again from five yards for a 38-21 lead and the Patriots' defense made sure the game was in the bag.
"It's a war," said Kuesel. "It's like they score on us and we've got to score right back."
"Our passing game was huge early in the game," concluded Inselmann. "Tom Busch put the ball on the money, Mitch Leonard did a good job and Zach Botjer, what a receiver he is. They put eight guys in the box and we had to throw the ball.
"They then went to a 4-3 and we struggled running a little bit, so I challenged our kids at halftime and I thought we did a much better job of that."
Busch went 5-of-7 through the air for 144 yards, while Botjer finished the game with 108 yards receiving.