BLANCHESTER — After five years, the King of the Road trophy is headed west down state route 28.
The Goshen Warriors ended a four-game losing streak to Blanchester Friday night with a 27-13 victory at Barbour Memorial Field.
Goshen had not defeated Blanchester since a 37-8 victory in 2010.
Blanchester (1-6) pulled within a point early in the third quarter. The Wildcats started the second half with a 12-play, 70-yard drive. Blanchester only threw it once – on fourth and one.
Nick Grogg capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. The attempt at the two-point conversion – a direct snap to Nick Hopkins – failed. Goshen maintained a 7-6 lead with 5:08 left in the third.
Goshen (6-1) needed just two plays to answer the BHS score. After a 38-yard kickoff return by Matthew Creech and an eight-yard keeper by Isaac Hart, Hart found Logan Brand for a 40-yard touchdown.
The extra point attempt hit the top of the crossbar and fell short. Goshen led 13-6.
Two straight three-and-outs for Blanchester surrounded a Goshen punt. It was 13-6 Warriors after three.
After a turnover on downs, Blanchester started on its own 33. It appeared as if Blanchester was only going to get three downs after an officiating error made it fourth down a play early.
The officials corrected the mistake, making it third and 21 for Blanchester. Tristan Greene was subsequently intercepted by Sebastian Abshire, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Goshen led 20-7.
On the first play of Blanchester’s next drive, Greene found Nick Grogg, who rumbled 75 yards for a touchdown to pull Blanchester within 20-13 with 7:50 left.
However, the Warriors iced the game away with an 8-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a Johnny Kube 12-yard run with 3:28 left. Goshen led 27-13.
Grogg had a strong game for the Wildcats, running the ball 18 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also had 75 yards receiving thanks to his touchdown catch.
Hart pumped life into the Goshen offense. He ran for 115 yards on 22 carries and threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
SUMMARY
Oct 9, 2015
@Barbour Memorial Field
Goshen 27 Blanchester 13
G 07.00.06.14…..27
B 00.00.06.07…..13
First Quarter
G – Jimmy Strunk 4-yard run (Jordan Ulrey kick) 8:24
Second Quarter
No scoring
Third Quarter
B – Nick Grogg 15-yard run (run failed) 5:08
G – Isaac Hart 40-yard pass to Logan Brand (kick failed) 4:10
Fourth Quarter
G – Sebastian Abshire 40-yard interception return (Ulrey kick) 8:06
B – Tristan Greene 75-yard pass to Nick Grogg (Jared Monhollen kick) 7:50
G – Johnny Kube 12-yard run (Ulrey kick) 3:28
Team Stats
PLAYS: G 59; B 51. FIRST DOWNS: G 19; B 8. RUSHES-YARDS: G 40-186; B 37-137. PASSING YARDS: G 169; B 83. COMPLETIONS-ATTEMPTS-INTERCEPTIONS: G 9-18-0; B 4-14-2. TOTAL YARDS: G 355; B 220. PENALTIES-YARDS: G 6-60; B 7-50. FUMBLES-LOST: G 1-1; B 0-0.
Individual Stats
Rushing: (carries-yards): G Isaac Hart 22-115; Jimmy Strunk 8-37; Johnny Kube 9-32 TD. B Tristan Greene 13-22; Nick Hopkins 2-4; Nick Grogg 18-92 TD; Hunter Collier 4-19.
Passing (completions-attempts-interceptions): G Hart 9-18-0 169 yards TD. B Greene 4-13-2 83 yards TD; Grogg 0-1-0.
Receiving (catches-yards): Matthew Creech 4-57; Jason Young 1-11; Sebastian Abshire 1-20; Logan Brand 3-68 TD. B Nick Grogg 1-75 TD. Hunter Collier 1-11.
