Johnstown 20, Danville 17
DANVILLE — Danville completed an apparent 65-yard, game-winning touchdown on the final play from scrimmage on Friday night, only to have the call reversed on a penalty, saving a 20-17 victory for Johnstown.
Johnstown had taken a 20-17 lead on Jay Orders’ 1-yard run and Will Carter’s 2-point conversion run in the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils had scored 10 points in the first quarter and another seven the second quarter to lead 17-12 at halftime. Carter had two 1-yard TD plunges in the first half.
On the final play of the game and the ball at the Danville 35, Blue Devil quarterback Kelby Ball scrambled around for an opening and found a receiver deep downfield, which seemingly gave Danville the 23-20 lead. But the line judge ruled that Ball had crossed the scrimmage line before the throw, a penalty which negated the throw and the score.
Northridge 28, Centerburg 6
CENTERBURG — Northridge’s defense came through with a great performance on Friday, holding host Centerburg under 140 total yards to win 28-6.
The Vikings limited the Trojans (1-7, 0-5) to 48 yards on 33 carries, and just 90 yards through the air. Northridge was much better in the run, gaining 200 yards, and used it to take the clock out of consideration for Centerburg. The Trojans also turned the ball over four times, twice apiece on fumbles and interceptions, giving the Vikings a plus-4 turnover ratio.
Centerburg drove to a score in the first quarter, with quarterback Drew Osborne finding Josh Michael for a 15-yard touchdown that put the Trojans ahead 6-0. Northridge came back to take the lead later in the period, as Rob Harger skipped in from 5 yards out. Brandon Hull’s kick was good, giving the Vikings the lead, 7-6. That score held through halftime.
Turnovers cost Centerburg scoring opportunities, and Northridge took advantage of short fields to increase its lead. In the third quarter, Sean Haines scored on a 2-yard burst, lifting the Vikings to a 14-6 lead. Haines was to score twice more on the night, on 10- and 3-yard runs, both in the fourth quarter.
Haines led all runners with 123 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, and Harger rushed 11 times for 53 yards. Hull completed 3-of-5 passes for 57 yards, two going to Justin Dague for 52 yards.
Cody Griffith gained 46 yards on 13 carries for the Trojans, and had four catches for 43 yards. Jason Ratliff ran four times for 10 yards. Osborne was 8-of-14 for 90 yards and a touchdown, and Michael caught three passes for 30 yards and the team’s lone score.
Northridge will play at Loudonville on Friday, and Centerburg will be on the road at Fredericktown.
Buckeye Valley 35, Highland 0
DELAWARE — Buckeye Valley completely shut down Highland’s offense on Friday, and built a huge first-half lead in beating the Scots 35-0. It was the Barons’ first official win over Highland since 2002 (26-0), as a 2003 victory was later forfeited.
The Scots (4-4, 4-3) had just 119 yards of offense and six first downs for the game. They punted seven times and turned the ball over three times. The Barons had 195 of its 284 total yards in a 28-0 first half, and never let Highland get beyond the Buckeye Valley 40-yard line.
In a sign of things to come, Highland began the game with a three-and-out. Buckeye Valley (5-3, 5-2) followed with a seven-play, 62-yard scoring drive, which ended on Scott Kidwell’s 26-yard run with 6:30 to play in the first quarter. The Scots fumbled on their next drive, leaving the Barons in Highland territory. After six plays, Kidwell took the ball again, running 13 yards for a score and a 14-0 lead. Buckeye Valley stopped Highland again, and seven plays later Cody Hughes ran for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Barons a 20-0 advantage with 11:53 left in the first half. The Scots got their first first-down of the game on its next drive, but Kidwell intercepted Lance Stambaugh to set up his own 11-yard TD run at the 9:04 mark. Highland had two opportunities before halftime, but punted each time.
The Scots recovered a fumble on the Baron 47 to begin the second half, but had to punt on fourth down. Justin Staton’s kick went to Phil Stakely, who returned the ball 84 yards for Buckeye Valley and a 35-0 lead with 8:59 left in the third quarter. The Barons kept control of the clock for the rest of the game, allowing Highland only three first downs.
Staton led the Scots with 48 yards on 14 carries, and Ryan Barnett ran 13 times for 28 yards. Stambaugh completed 4-of-11 passes for 38 yards and two interceptions, and Kiefer Hinkle caught one pass for 22 yards. Hughes paced Buckeye Valley with 22 carries for 115 yards.
Highland will continue its MOAC schedule at Ridgedale at 7 p.m. on Friday.
