WILMINGTON — A late comeback effort by the Wilmington High School football team came up two points short Friday night, as the Hurricane lost to visiting Miami Trace, 21-19, at Alumni Field.

Trailing 21-13 in the final minute of regulation, the Hurricane scored a touchdown on a pass from Jake Stephens to Josiah Puller to get within 21-19.

Miami Trace defenders stopped Stephens inches shy of the goalline to preserve the victory.

“I certainly will praise the kids for fighting hard and making the comeback,” said WHS head coach Ryan Evans in his post-game remarks. “But, we were our own worst enemy — that crucial fumble in the end zone, too many miscues throughout the game. We’ve got to get these things corrected and we will. We gotta play much better.”

The fumble that Evans referred to happened in the fourth quarter, at the eight minute mark, with the score 14-13, in favor of Miami Trace. The Panthers capitalized on that turnover with a touchdown. That play proved to be the deciding factor in the outcome.

Miami Trace converted a turnover into the first score of the night, following an interception by the Panther’s Malachi Jones. Panther quarterback Trey Robinette hooked up with Jones at the 4:21 mark in the opening quarter. Levi Morrison tacked on the PAT, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

Miami Trace extended the lead to 14-0 at the 10:16 mark of the second quarter when Robinette took it up the middle on a 30 yard run and Morrison booted the PAT.

Wilmington got on the scoreboard with 5:14 remaining in the opening half, as Stephens connected with Jessie Keith on a 30-yard TD pass. Dylan Groves added the PAT and that’s the way the first half ended with the Panthers holding a 14-7 lead.

Wilmington got the ball to start the second half and put together a 10-play, time-consuming drive which ended with Bryson Schutte going the final three yards for the touchdown. However, the potential game-tying PAT kick did not happen, as Groves was unable to attempt the kick and it was 14-13 Trace.

“We’re gonna put emphasis on doing the little things. The responsibility falls on me and we will get it done,” said Evans.

Wilmington travels to Mount Healthy Sept. 6.

SUMMARY

Aug 30, 2024

@Alumni Field, WHS

Panthers 21, Hurricane 19

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W^0^7^6^6^^19

First Quarter

MT-Malachi Jones 20 yard pass from Trey Robinette (Austin Brown PAT)

Second Quarter

MT-Trey Robinette 30 yard run (Austin Brown PAT)

W-Jesse Keith 30 yard pass from Carson Brown (Dylan Groves PAT)

Third Quarter

W-Bryson Schutte 6 yard run (Rush failed)

Fourth Quarter

MT-Cameron Morton fumble recovery in end zone (Austin Brown PAT)

W-Josiah Puller 4 yard pass from Jake Stephens (Rush failed)

STATISTICS

TEAM

Miami Trace: 9 first downs, 137 total yards (109 rush, 28 pass), Penalties 4-23

Wilmington: 14 first downs, 257 total yards (89 rush, 168 pass), Penalties 10-60

INDIVIDUALS

Passing: WHS (14-26-1, 168 yards 2 TD) Jake Stephens 11-21-1, 118 yards 1 TD; Carson Brown 3-5-0, 50 yards 1 TD

Rushing: WHS (39-89-1) Jake Stephens 11-3-0, Josiah Puller 11-56-0, Bryson Schutte 9-11-1, Luke Johnson 8-19-0

Receiving: WHS (14-168-2) Steven Rickman 7-77-0, Josiah Puller 3-43-1, Zane Smith 3-18-0, Jesse Keith 1-30-1

Punting: WHS Dylan Groves 3-123, 41 average

Tackles: WHS Luke Actherman 9 (6 solo), Bryson Schutt 11 (2 solo), Jesse Keith 10 (8 solo), Malachi Cumberland 6 (5 solo), Iona Cioca 3, Michael Streety 5 (3 solo), Payden Mawyer 3, Blake Turner 4 (3 solo), Eli Stewart 2 (1 solo), Bryant Conley 3 (2 solo), Zane Smith 3 (1 solo), Steven Rickman 2 (1 solo), Luke Johnson 2 (1 solo), Damion Simpson 1 (1 solo), Carson Brown 1

Tackles For Loss: WHS Luke Achterman 3, Malachi Cumberland 2, Iona Cioca 2, Bryant Conley 0.5

UP NEXT

Who: Wilmington vs Mt Healthy

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Mt. Healthy HS, 8101 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati

OWLS RESUME

2024: 1-1

Last Week: A 62-35 win over Ross. The Owls passed for 421 yards and ran for 194 yards. They led 35-28 at halftime then outscored the Rams 27-7 in the second half.

Inside Info: Mt. Healthy is a member of the Southwest Ohio Conference along with Harrison, Northwest and Talawanda.

Top Performers: Jahmeir Spain passed for 453 yards and 8 TDs, 3 of them to Ace Cooper who had a 4-131-3 receiving line. The MH defense forced 3 turnovers. Raishawn Cotton was credited with 19 solo tackles, according to the SWOC website.

Series: 6-0 in favor of the Owls.

Last Meeting: A 22-7 win for Mt. Healthy. WHS lost 13-10 in 2022, 26-23 in 2021, 35-10 in 2013, 7-6 in 2012 and 52-7 in 1985.