Badin (8-3) got quickly out the gates, taking the opening kickoff to the house on a 83-yard return by Josh Hegemann. Hegemann and the Rams did not take their foot off the gas, extending the lead to 26-0 after the first quarter.
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“It was a great start by us, we needed a fast start like that,” said Badin coach Nick Yordy. “In a playoff game, to come out like that and score that many points is just an incredible feeling.”
The quick start caught Ross and coach Kenyon Commins off-guard and being in the sudden hole was too much to overcome.
“They just beat us in every facet of the game,” said Commins. “I don’t think we were wide-eyed, I just think they played a better game tonight.”
It was domination on both sides of the ball for Badin, whose defense forced three fumbles, had punt and kick return touchdowns, and added three running and two passing touchdowns.
Alex DeLong had a pair of rushing touchdowns to go with 123 yards. DeLong, the second-leading rusher in the Greater Catholic League Co-ed Division, had his fourth consecutive game 100-yard plus game and added a 58-yard punt return touchdown.
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The connection between quarterback Zach Switzer and Hegemann was lethal. All seven of Switzer’s completions went to Hegemann, good for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Hegemman finished with 151 yards total yards, only three yards less than Ross’ total output.
“He’s done it all year,” Yordy said of Hegemann. “When he gets going, he’s pretty fast and pretty elusive.”
Switzer ran in Badin’s lone score of the second half, a 19-yard run which up the lead to 46-7 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. He was the third Badin player to have more than 100 yards of total offense.
Ross finished its season 8-3 and with its first playoff berth since 2011. Having been there during a 1-9 season just two years ago, Commins was still proud of his team despite the unfavorable ending.
“Whether we were 1-9 first year or 8-3 this year, the record doesn’t define who we are,” said Commins. “They are so much more than a eight-win team…success is all in how you look at it.”
Badin advances to face Alter, which knocked off top-seeded Chaminade Julienne for the second straight week. Badin defeated Alter 42-7 in Week 6 to snap a 22-game losing streak to the Knights. Next Friday night;s game will be played at a neutral site. The OHSAA will announce regional semifinal sites on Sunday.
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