(Reprinted with permission from Enquirer)
Coming off last week’s loss to Goshen, New Richmond believed it needed to win its final two games to have a chance at securing its first playoff appearance since 2001. On Friday night, the Lions played like a team desperate for a win.
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| Cincinnati Enquirer photo |
The Lions rushed for 472 yards. Garrett Myers had 103 yards rushing and Andrew Nealan added 99.
"We really tried to push them to play with passion and they really responded," said New Richmond head coach Dan Scholz. "I’m very proud of our team. Tonight’s game said a lot about our character coming off the loss last week."
New Richmond, which plays its season finale at Greenville on Friday, made three consecutive Division III playoff appearances from 1999-2001.The Lions are ranked seventh in the latest Division III, Region 12 Harbin ratings. The top eight teams qualify for the postseason.
New Richmond started quickly on Friday.
Mike Scaggs intercepted a pass at Western Brown’s 45-yard line. The Lions converted a fourth-and-1 at the 36, then Maupin took the pitch on fourth-and-2 and sprinted 10 yards for a touchdown. The point-after caromed off the upright, and New Richmond led 6-0.
The ensuing kickoff was muffed near the 10-yard line and recovered by a Western Brown player in the end zone resulting in a safety to put the Lions ahead 8-0.
Following the safety, the Broncos punted to New Richmond which took possession at its 42-yard line.
On the second play from scrimmage, Maupin raced down the right sideline for a 52-yard touchdown run making the score 15-0.
Maupin had 92 yards rushing on seven carries and two TDs in the first quarter.
Kevin Hamilton’s interception helped set up Myers’ 14-yard TD pass to Austin Warden putting the Lions ahead 22-0.
The Broncos staged a rally late in the first half.
On fourth-and-10 at the New Richmond 15-yard line, Matthew Corcoran connected with Brad Rhodes in the right corner of the end zone to make the score 22-7 with 4:53 left in the second quarter.
Nealan’s 49-yard TD run moments later put the Lions up 28-7.
But Rhodes, who had three receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, caught a 54-yard TD just before halftime to make the score 28-14.
"Our mistakes kind of let them back in the game," said Maupin. "We had a tough game last week that we shouldn’t have lost. We just had to keep fighting. This win is a big momentum boost for us going into next week."
After scoring 22 points in the first quarter, New Richmond duplicated the feat in the third.
Maupin’s 45-yard run helped set up his 7-yard TD reception on fourth-and-goal. Kicker Zach Ritter’s two-point conversion pass to Warden made the score 36-14.
Myers scored on a 60-yard option run to give New Richmond a commanding 43-14 lead.