Chaminade-Julienne dictated the tempo with its ground and pound offense Friday and Bellefontaine was unable to do much about it.
C-J, taking advantage of a huge offensive line and a talented array of running backs, ran for 434 yards as the visiting Eagles pulled away for a 44-28 victory over Bellefontaine in a Division III, Region 12 first-round playoff football game.
“We made some plays early and we were able to get a lead,” said Bellefontaine head coach Jason Brown. “But they were able to flip the momentum to their side, and when a team like that gets momentum, it can be tough to stop.”
The Eagles came in with a record of 5-5, but that is deceiving because they play a tough schedule as a member of the Greater Catholic League Coed Conference.
Also, C-J employs a double-wing, double-tight end offense that is a rarity in the current era of wide open spread offenses.
“I felt like we got a really good look from our scout team defense in practice this week,” said Brown. “The thing you can’t emulate is their size … but our guys fought like crazy. We just weren’t able to make enough plays.”
Bellefontaine jumped out to a 21-10 lead in the second quarter, but the Eagles rattled off 28 straight points to take control of the game.
“We were a play or two away on either side of the ball from being able to get the momentum back, but we just struggled to make those plays when we needed them,” said Brown.
The Chiefs close the 2024 campaign with an 8-3 record.
Making the defeat even tougher to swallow for Brown was he had to say goodbye to a stellar senior class led by Ohio State-bound quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
“We are so grateful to the senior class for everything they have done for our program, school and community,” said Brown. “They have been a rising tide and they have given us so much. They have been part of some historic success here and have pushed the bar higher. I wish that whole group nothing but success as they move forward.”
Bellefontaine, which had to play without standout wide receiver Braylon Newcomb because of a disciplinary suspension, was held to 256 total yards, including just 32 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
It was a back-and-forth first half Friday.