BLANCHESTER — Seth Perkins interception in the third quarter sparked Blanchester to a 35-20 win over Batavia Friday night at Barbour Memorial Field.
The win gives Justin Schmitz his first victory as head coach at his alma mater.
“I feel pretty good right now,” Schmitz said.
The Wildcats (1-1) led 22-13 in the third but Batavia was on the move. Perkins came up with the big defensive play to help turn things around for Blanchester.
“That was huge,” Schmitz said. “He had second team reps this week in practice. He really stepped up in the game. That was a big momentum shifter for us.”
The Wildcats loaded up behind its burly offensive front and pushed its lead to 28-13 when Isaiah Snader scored from 2 yards out. The teams traded fourth quarter touchdowns but Schmitz had secured his first BHS coaching victory.
More importantly, though, for the coach, his team may have figured out who it is.
“I felt like we found our identity,” Schmitz said. “We ran the ball. We ran it really well. (Bryce) Sipple had an amazing night. Sebastian (Smith) ran better than any fullback I’ve seen in a while. They (Batavia) stacked the box … it seemed like they put 12 guys in the box and we still ran it right at them.”
Sipple, the unquestioned leader of the offense, ran for 180 yards and a touchdown while passing for another score.
In all, the Wildcats ran for 289 yards and converted four fourth-down opportunities. They won the game despite two turnovers on offense.
“We had a tough week of practice this week,” Schmitz said. “It was hot. I felt like pushed the kids to the point they were going to break and they fought through it. This week of practice was awesome for us.”
The result was a “run at all cost” mentality that acts as a sharpening tool for each player and the team as a whole.
“There were times we could have run an outside sweep play or run a slant,” Schmitz said. “Coaches looked at each other and kids on the field looked at each other and said. ‘No we are going to run it right down their throat’ and we did. It was George Rise football at its best.”
Rise was Schmitz coach at Blanchester. Rise, who also coached at Goshen, was a demanding coach beloved by his players.
“Our kids are starting to buy into our processes and our ofesnive scheme,” said Schmitz. “Playing Blanchester football is tough, hard-nosed football. This offense will build tough men. Tonight we should what this offense can do.”
What the offense can do is run the ball effectively behind a line of Jarod Daniels, Jude Huston, Tristen Malone, Schuyler Smith and Caleb Holley.
SUMMARY
Aug 25, 2023
@Barbour Memorial Field
Blanchester 35, Batavia 20
BL-7-7-14-7=35
BA-6-7-0-7=20
First Quarter
BL-Caleb Sears 20 yard pass from Bryce Sipple (PAT)
BA-1 yard run (Conversion failed)
Second Quarter
BL-Bryce Sipple 3 yard run (PAT)
BA-5 yard pass (PAT)
Third Quarter
BL-Sebastian Smith 1 yard run (Isaiah Snader run)
BL-Isaiah Snader 2 yard run (PAT failed)
Fourth Quarter
BA-31 yard pass (PAT)
BL-Sebastian Smith 8 yard run (PAT)
STATISTICS
Blanchester
Passing: Bryce Sipple 2-8-1, 39 yards 1 TD
Rushing: Bryce Sipple 24-180-1 Sebastian Smith 14-64-2, Caleb Sears 4-26-0 Isaiah Snader 4-15-1 Ayden Basham 3-4-0
Receiving: Caleb Sears 1-20-1, Zach Musselman 1-19-0
Tackles: Sebastian Smith 9 (2 for loss), Isaiah Snader 3 (1 for loss), Bryce Sipple 2, Caleb Sears 4 (1 for loss), Tristen Malone 6 (2 sacks), Ayden Basham 2, Zach Musselman 3, Jude Huston 2, Ray Montgomery 1, Chase Barnes 1
Interceptions: Ray Montgomery, Seth Perkins
