Top-ranked LC Patriots send O-H Titans to the showers

The undefeated Liberty Christian Patriots of Richland defeated the Titans football team to knock them out of the playoffs leading up to the championship game. The score was 90-26.

The Titans struck first on a 5-yard run by Sam Schafer. The extra-point attempt was a pass from QB Justin Hunt caught by Cade Weber.

The Patriots answered with three touchdowns, two on 25-yard runs and one on a 10-yard run, and successful extra point attempts all three times.

The second quarter was nearly a repeat of the first. LC scored on a 30-yard pass play, followed by a 45-yard return of an interception for TD. On both of those TD plays, the extra point attempts were no good. Then came an 80-yard pass play and a 26-yard run for touchdowns, followed by running plays for extra points.

O-H struck back on an 84-yard run by Schafer. The extra-point pass play was no good.

LC closed out the half with an 18-yard run, plus two more on a running play.

After the half, LC scored a 41-yard run; EP run was good. LC then repeated with a 5-yard run for a TD and a running play for two points.

Markus Smith for the Titans ran downfield for 48 yards; EP pass play was no good.

LC came back with 16-yard touchdown run and also got the two-point conversion.

In the final quarter, O-H stung the Patriots again with a 68-yard run by Schafer. Hunt completed the extra-point pass to Smith.

The final score of the game was a 38-yard run by LC with a successful two-point conversion.

On offense, Schafer had 249 yards rushing on 14 carries. Cade Weber had 6 catches for 68 yards. Hunt was 7 of 14 passing with one interception.

On defense, Cade Weber had 5 assists and 2 solo tackles; Jake Tanke 3 assists and 2 solo tackles; Hunt 4 assists and 3 solo tackles; Gabe Henneman 7 assist tackles; Smith 3 assists and 2 solo tackles; Jacob DeWulf 7 assists and 3 solo tackles; Carsen Weber 3 assists and 2 solo tackles; Schafer 3 assists and 2 solo tackles; Dakota Largent 3 assists and 2 solo tackles; Dillon Dennison 2 assist tackles; Jacob Montgomery 3 assist tackles and Dylan Shockley 1 assist tackle.

Coach Bruce Todd said, “The Titan had a difficult time in the their crossover playoff game against the Patriots. The Patriots outsized and outran the Titans the entire game. The Titans came out quickly and scored on their first possession, giving them their only lead of the contest. From that point on the Patriots dominated the Titans with superior size and speed at just about every position and possession.

The Titans finished the season with a 6-5 record and second place in the NE 1B southern division. The Titans will graduate a solid group of seniors: Jared King, Ricky Hedreen, Gabe Henneman, Jake Tanke, Cade Weber, Justin Hunt, Markus Smith and Zack Schaal. We will have to rebuild next year with only one junior on the roster.”