Davidson 'D' Stuns Colerain
The No. 12-ranked team in the nation had lost only five times since 2002.
By Greg Billing
Staff Writer
DAYTON — Entering Saturday, national football power Cincinnati Colerain had lost five games since 2002. All five were to eventual Ohio state champions.
Hilliard Davidson hopes that trend continues.
Davidson stunned Colerain 10-6 in a Division I state semifinal in front of 10,000 spectators at Welcome Stadium. The Wildcats (14-0) make their first state final appearance Saturday vs. Mentor, an 18-13 winner over Canton McKinley. Colerain (13-1) was ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 12 by USA Today.
"Our defense played lights-out," said Davidson running back Bo Delande. "They have so many weapons it's scary. To shut down a team like that is amazing."
A pair of Colerain miscues led to Davidson's points. In the second quarter, the Cardinals let a punt bounce, but it was downed at their own 1-yard line for an 82-yard punt. Davidson's Drew Dolder wrestled down Colerain quarterback Doug Reynolds for a safety on the next play. Davidson made it 10-3 with 8:08 left in the third after a recovered fumble led to Delande's 4-yard run.
"Obviously we'll spend a lot time kicking ourselves for the things we didn't do well," Colerain coach Kerry Coombs said. "And that's on the coach. When we don't win a game like today, that's on the coach."
Davidson nearly consumed the final 7 minutes, 10 seconds of the game. The Wildcats took over on their own 10. They converted twice on third down, and with 2:47 left they went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 41, making it by inches. Colerain took over on its own 42 with 11 seconds left.
An incomplete pass and illegal pass ended the game.
Of the fourth-down call, Davidson coach Brian White said, "It's one of those things, if it works you're a genius. If it doesn't work then there are more than a thousand people wondering, 'Why didn't he punt it and let his defense win the game?' "
"We play to win. I'm not saying we always make smart decisions, but we play to win."
By Greg Billing
Staff Writer
DAYTON — Entering Saturday, national football power Cincinnati Colerain had lost five games since 2002. All five were to eventual Ohio state champions.
Hilliard Davidson hopes that trend continues.
Davidson stunned Colerain 10-6 in a Division I state semifinal in front of 10,000 spectators at Welcome Stadium. The Wildcats (14-0) make their first state final appearance Saturday vs. Mentor, an 18-13 winner over Canton McKinley. Colerain (13-1) was ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 12 by USA Today.
"Our defense played lights-out," said Davidson running back Bo Delande. "They have so many weapons it's scary. To shut down a team like that is amazing."
A pair of Colerain miscues led to Davidson's points. In the second quarter, the Cardinals let a punt bounce, but it was downed at their own 1-yard line for an 82-yard punt. Davidson's Drew Dolder wrestled down Colerain quarterback Doug Reynolds for a safety on the next play. Davidson made it 10-3 with 8:08 left in the third after a recovered fumble led to Delande's 4-yard run.
"Obviously we'll spend a lot time kicking ourselves for the things we didn't do well," Colerain coach Kerry Coombs said. "And that's on the coach. When we don't win a game like today, that's on the coach."
Davidson nearly consumed the final 7 minutes, 10 seconds of the game. The Wildcats took over on their own 10. They converted twice on third down, and with 2:47 left they went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 41, making it by inches. Colerain took over on its own 42 with 11 seconds left.
An incomplete pass and illegal pass ended the game.
Of the fourth-down call, Davidson coach Brian White said, "It's one of those things, if it works you're a genius. If it doesn't work then there are more than a thousand people wondering, 'Why didn't he punt it and let his defense win the game?' "
"We play to win. I'm not saying we always make smart decisions, but we play to win."