CHCA's perfect season ends with 31-17 loss to Hamilton Badin
Nov. 16, 2013
Written by
Jeff Wallner
Enquirer contributor
Hamilton Badin, members of the Greater Catholic League, felt it was battle-tested heading into Saturday’s Division V regional semifinal, unlike its opponent Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, which had trailed once while cruising to 11 victories.
“The only way to become a team that can come back from adversity is to go through it,” Rams coach Bill Tenore said. “It doesn’t faze our kids.”
Not much fazed Rams sophomore quarterback Zach Larkin on Saturday night at Mason’s Dwire Field. He made several clutch throws while passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns, helping lift Badin to a 31-17 victory over the Eagles, the state’s top-ranked D-V team.
CHCA proved its mettle by rallying from a 14-point deficit on Saturday, but Badin finished strong to advance to face West Jefferson (11-1) in the regional championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. at an undetermined site.
“We know what it takes to come back in games,” Larkin said. “We’ve been there.”
On the third play from scrimmage, Cole Heflin hauled in a pass from Larkin and sprinted down the sideline for an 84-yard touchdown, putting the Rams ahead 7-0.
A short punt gave Badin first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. Three plays later, sophomore tight end Dominic Valentino caught a 4-yard TD pass from Larkin to make the score 14-0.
Larkin had 118 passing yards in the first half, 84 of which came on Heflin’s TD.
CHCA grabbed some momentum when Michael Lantz caught a 12-yard TD pass from Conner Osborne with 20 seconds left before halftime, making the score 14-7.
Osborne finished with 224 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Eagles.
Adam Baker caught a 33-yard TD pass from Osborne less than three minutes into the third quarter, tying the score 14-14.
But, a 56-yard reception by Matt Kreke set up a 36-yard field goal by Tyler Williams, putting Badin ahead 17-14. Later in the third quarter, Cody Boxrucker’s 1-yard TD made the score 24-14.
Plays of the game: A pair of big passes by Larkin sparked Badin. Heflin’s 84-yard touchdown led to the Rams’ first points. The 56-yard, third-down completion to Kreke helped them steal momentum away from CHCA in the third quarter.
Star of the game: Larkin, only a sophomore, made several clutch throws more indicative of an upperclassmen to outduel Osborne and lead Badin to the victory.
View from the sideline: “Badin played a tough, physical game,” said CHCA coach Eric Taylor. “They capitalized on every mistake we made. They earned the victory. We left it all out on the field.”
Extra points: Saturday’s game was just the second meeting between the two schools, and first since 2004 when CHCA rolled to a 41-14 win. … Badin is making its 20th playoff appearance with an overall record of 21-18, including a state title in 1990. … It was the fourth straight playoff appearance and ninth overall for CHCA with an overall record of 8-9, including a state runner-up finish in 2005.
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