TIPP CITY -- St. Marys overcame a shift in momentum and two second-half turnovers to hang on for a 21-14 victory over Tipp City Saturday in the first round of the Division III Region 10 football playoffs.
For the second time in three years the Riders have traveled south to the Red Devil Gridiron for an opening round victory in the playoffs. St. Marys, now 9-2 on the season, will take on Sunbury Big Walnut next Saturday at a site to be determined. Big Walnut knocked off Clyde 18-17 Saturday to advance.
In 2006, the Riders knocked off Tipp City by an identical 21-14 score, and then faced Big Walnut in the second round, losing to Big Walnut 34-20. The Red Devils cash out this year with a 9-2 record.
The Riders dominated the first half led by Jeremy Frey, who had 104 of his 185 yards rushing in the first two quarters. But St. Marys saw its 14-0 halftime lead evaporate quickly, as the Red Devils tied the score 14-14 with 4:45 left in the third quarter.
The Riders ended up driving 74 yards for the go ahead touchdown with 2:52 left in the game.
Each team started the game with a three-and-out, but the Riders took advantage of good field position and got the scoring started on their second possession.
After a short punt, St. Marys started one yard into Red Devil territory. From there it took just nine plays for the Riders to find paydirt. Frey did most of the damage on the drive, but it was quarterback Jake Taylor covering the final yard on a sneak.
Chaz Atkins booted the PAT for a 7-0 St. Marys lead with 4:31 left in the first quarter.
Tipp City’s offense failed to pick up a first down on its next possession, and the Riders capitalized on the momentum. A 22-yard run by Dylan Dietz and a 27-yard run by Frey quickly got the ball back in the red zone.
Fullback Josh Zimmerman punched the ball in from two yards out and Adkins was perfect on the kick for a 14-0 lead with 11:13 left in the half.
St. Marys had another scoring opportunity on its next possession. A 31-yard punt return by Derek Freewalt gave the Riders good field position near midfield.
The Riders ground their way down to the 10 yard line for a first and goal, but the drive stalled. On fourth and goal from the four yard line, St. Marys shunned the field goal attempt and turn the ball over on downs when Jake Taylor’s pass was incomplete.
Tipp City got its offense rolling on its first possession of the second half. A 40-yard completion by quarterback Wes Marsh set up a three-yard scoring run by Corey Johnson. The extra-point kick was blocked for a 14-6 Rider lead at the 9:26 mark of the third quarter.
St. Marys went three-and-out on its first time with the ball in the second half, but then forced a subsequent Tipp City punt. The bad news, however, was that Trevor Kill muffed the punt reception and the Red Devils recovered at the St. Marys 30 yard line.
Thanks to a 24-yard pass completition, it took Tipp just three plays to score. Allen Comer went in from three yards out. Comer then scored on a sweep to complete the two point conversion and tie the score at 14.
After trading punts the Riders appeared to re-establish dominance of the trenches in the fourth quarter. But driving near mid field Dylan Dietz fumbled and the Red Devils recovered.
Another huge mistake came when Tipp City was facing a third-and-30 situation and the Riders were flagged with a pass interference penalty, giving the Devils an automatic first down. However, the “D” stiffened again, forcing a punt.
The Riders launched their game-winning 74-yard drive. Josh Zimmerman got his second TD on a one-yard run, and Atkins nailed his third PAT.
The Riders held on four plays following the kickoff, and then ran the final second off the clock for the win.
St. Marys finished with 341 yards of total offense, 333 of which came on the ground. Aaron Homan backed up Frey with 11 carries for 72 yards. Thanks to four sacks, Tipp City netted out with just 38 yards rushing on 26 carries. Marsh connected on eight of 15 passes for 113 yards.
