It was a big night for several county football squads Friday as the regular season neared its end. Bellefontaine celebrated Senior Night with a dramatic home victory, Indian Lake pulled out a late win on the road, and Benjamin Logan rolled to a shutout. West Liberty-Salem fell on the road but looks to bounce back in its season finale next week.
Bellefontaine 23, Urbana 16
Another drama-filled night, another win. Bellefontaine defeated Urbana 23-16 in Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail play at AcuSport Stadium on Friday.
It was both Senior Night and the renewal of a longtime rivalry with the Hillclimbers. The Chieftains, who are battling to stay above the postseason cutoff, capitalized on two early Urbana turnovers to build a 14-3 halftime lead and held off a late rally for the victory.
Bellefontaine quarterback Reign St. Clair completed 29 of 41 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Kaiden Foulk caught seven passes for 74 yards, Sutton Daring had eight for 41, and Spencer Stolly added 10 catches for 59 yards and a score. Bryant Carter led the ground game with 22 carries for 89 yards.
The game was paused in the fourth quarter after Urbana receiver Colt Cotner was injured on a long reception and transported for evaluation. Urbana quarterback Grady Lantz then scored on the next play to cut the deficit to 21-16. The Hillclimbers had two more drives, but one ended in a safety for intentional grounding in the end zone and the other expired as time ran out.
Lantz finished 17-of-40 for 183 yards, while Crew Forson rushed 14 times for 74 yards. Colton Teepe caught seven passes for 67 yards. Urbana falls to 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the CBC, while Bellefontaine improves to 5-4 and visits Jonathan Alder next week.
Indian Lake 24, Graham 21
ST. PARIS — Indian Lake continued its strong season with a clutch 24-21 comeback win over Graham in Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division play Friday night.
The Lakers trailed 21-10 early in the fourth quarter but stormed back behind Noah Shirk’s 32-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion by Brodey Reisinger with just two minutes remaining.
Quarterback Brady Golliday went 17-of-27 for 165 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Reisinger led receivers with eight catches for 95 yards, while Colin Bendler had five for 19 and Gavin Henry three for 47. Shirk rushed for 85 yards on 14 carries.
Indian Lake improves to 4-0 in the Mad River Division and 7-2 overall heading into its home finale against Northwestern next week.
West Jefferson 20, West Liberty-Salem 7
WEST JEFFERSON — West Liberty-Salem fell 20-7 to host West Jefferson in Ohio Heritage Conference North Division action Friday night.
The Tigers (5-4, 2-2 OHC North) led 7-0 at halftime after Beckett Sullivan connected with Isaac Sertell for a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. But the Roughriders took control after the break with three unanswered scores.
Sullivan finished 13-of-22 for 130 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Silas Krabill led the ground game with 73 yards on 14 carries, and Corbin Wallace added 45 yards on 16 attempts. The Tigers host Mechanicsburg next Friday to close the regular season.
Ben Logan 48, Northwestern 0
Benjamin Logan dominated on both sides of the ball in a 48-0 rout of Northwestern in Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division play Friday.
The Raiders built a 28-0 halftime lead and added three more scores in the second half, finishing with 314 rushing yards on 45 carries and 64 passing yards.
Benjamin Logan (4-5, 1-3 CBC) will host Springfield Shawnee next Friday to wrap up the regular season.
For complete game coverage and additional photos, pick up a copy the Examiner’s Saturday print edition.
