Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
CHILLICOTHE — Last week’s win over Jackson was Miami Trace’s statement win within the FAC.
Friday was the Panthers’ statement within Division III.
Miami Trace is for real, and if you didn’t know, now you do.
There’s no doubt about it.
After a program-shifting victory over Jackson, the Panthers (6-1, 2-0 FAC) one-upped themselves by going on the road and knocking off state-ranked Chillicothe by a 28-14 final.
“These last two weeks haven’t been easy, but our guys were more than ready for the challenge and they’ve answered every step of the way,” Miami Trace coach Jerry Williams said. “We were practicing at five in the morning this week, getting ready for this game, and I think it speaks to how much these seniors and the team really wanted it. Their level of commitment is second to none, and the leadership is outstanding. Our defense played so well and these kids should be proud of what they did tonight.”
From the get-go, the spotlight was clearly centered around Chillicothe’s Cartae Ligon and Miami Trace’s Julian Baker.
And for as magnificent as Ligon has been all season for the Cavaliers (6-1, 1-1 FAC), the evening belonged to Baker.
The Kent State commit dazzled all night long, showcasing how special he is as he carried the ball 34 times for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
“He is the epitome of a leader, and it’s not just because of what he does on the field,” Williams said of Baker. “He’s our most talented player, and the best one I’ve ever coached. But he shows up every day and puts in the most work to be who he is.”
Both backs didn’t waste any time getting the show started.
Chillicothe opened with the football, and Ligon found the end zone on an 11-yard run to quickly put the Cavs ahead 7-0.
Not to be outdone, Miami Trace fired back as it methodically drove down the field and tied the game with a one-yard plunge from Baker.
“Once we got our run game going in the beginning, we continued to build onto one another,” Miami Trace’s Matthew Barnard said. “Chillicothe has a really good defensive line, but we had belief that we, as a unit up front, were going to get the job done.”
PHOTOS: Images from Miami Trace’s win over Chillicothe
After earning a defensive stop, the Panthers stuck to a solid ground game until it was time to mix it up.
They found the perfect moment to throw a wrench in things when Baron Phipps tossed a 27-yard touchdown strike to a wide open Evan Parsley, making it 14-7 at halftime.
Both teams failed to score on their opening possessions in the second half, but the Panthers weren’t going to miss twice.
With the ball on their own 25, they handed it to Baker and he found a hole through the right side before turning on the burners, galloping 75 yards to pay dirt to push the lead to 21-7.
“We kept fighting and the offensive line kept getting a push,” Baker said. “I saw the hole right as I got the ball, hit it as hard as I could and just kept running to the house.”
As the game turned to the fourth quarter, Chillicothe needed an answer and Ligon provided it with a pair of big runs before scoring on a one-yard power to cut the deficit to 21-14.
The Cavaliers got a stop, and momentum felt like it was shifting, but it was all for naught as they were forced to give the ball back to MT.
Although the Cavs thought they got a second needed stop, the Panthers pulled a fast one with a fake punt to Baker, who gained 33 yards to keep the drive alive.
Later in the drive, they lined up for a field goal to possibly put the game away but called timeout just before the snap to rethink the decision.
On 4th & 10, they rolled the dice and Phipps found Parsley for a 15-yard touchdown pass to put the game, and a victory, on ice.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“I remember a situation years ago in the playoffs where I didn’t put the ball in my best players’ hands, and it cost us the season,” Williams said. “My kicker is a sophomore and the holder is a freshman. They’re great kids, but they haven’t been through the four-year battles like the seniors, so I had to check myself.”
“I knew what we were going to get schematically and the middle would be open. It was the same throw we made against Jackson, just a different formation, and it worked out perfectly.”
Phipps finished 4-of-4 passing for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Parsley had three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
For Chillicothe, Ligon ended the night with 25 carries for 160 yards and two scores.
Miami Trace returns to action on Friday at home against Hillsboro, while Chillicothe hosts Washington.
“These guys understand that the season isn’t over just because we beat two really good teams to open conference play,” Williams said. “That’s where the senior leadership comes in, and they know Hillsboro is the task at hand now. So it’s back to work to get ready for the next one.”
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