Fifth-seeded Little Miami (9-2), which avenged a 20-0 defeat from two weeks ago while notching its first playoff win since 1992, advance to play Winton Woods in a regional semifinal next Friday at a neutral site.
WEEK 11 FOOTBALL COVERAGE
» Slow start, fast finish as Badin opens playoffs with win
» Milford’s huge rally stuns Fairfield in playoff opener
» Nick Graham’s photo gallery from Fairfield-Milford
» Defense powers Fenwick in playoff-opening win over CJ
» East earns postseason upset, ousts GMC rival Mason
» Nick Graham’s photo gallery from Lakota East-Mason
“We knew we would win,” Mahon said. “We felt very good about what we could do. I am very proud of our guys. We played all 48 minutes. We had a lot of guys out two weeks ago. We had our full deck of cards tonight, and I think it showed.
“We were very confident. We tried to be quiet about it all week. We felt really good about the players we had if we were at full capacity, and we were at full strength tonight.”
Southwest Ohio Conference champion Edgewood (8-3) played most of the night without leading rusher Wade Phillips, who hurt his ankle in the second quarter. The fourth-seeded Cougars struggled to maintain offense all night, only getting into Little Miami territory twice in the second half while turning the ball over three times.
“Just a play here, a play there,” Edgewood coach Scott Clemmons said. “Like I told my seniors after the game, I would take them any day of the week. I love this group. I would take any of those kids back every single year, every single play.”
Little Miami saved its best for last. Trailing 7-0 with nine minutes left in the game, Panthers quarterback Brody Reder shook off a sack on the previous play, eluded a heavy rush and scrambled 59 yards to the Edgewood 2-yard line.
One play later Reder took the snap and went untouched up the middle, and with the ensuing extra point, the game was tied.
On Edgewood’s next possession, quarterback Corbin Craft faced an all-out blitz and his throw was picked off by Connor Jones at the Edgewood 40.
Again Reder shook off a sack the play before to hit Avery Harris on a short pass that turned into a 39-yard gain. Harris broke two tackles along the way, and his gallop set the Panthers up at the EHS 6 with just over three minutes to play.
The Cougars recorded another sack, forcing a Alex Hobbs 28-yard field-goal attempt. The sophomore nailed it for a 10-7 lead with 1:45 left.
Lucas Patten made a diving interception on Edgewood’s last drive, setting off a wild celebration on the Panthers’ sideline.
Mahon said the Panthers getting healthy at the right time helped, especially Reder, who struggled in the game two weeks ago against the Cougars.
“You saw the quarterback tonight.” Mahon said. “(Reder) was hurt two weeks ago. He couldn’t throw the ball to save his life. He couldn’t run to save his life. Tonight you saw him healthy. He is a runner, he is a thrower. He is my dude. “
After a scoreless first quarter Edgewood grabbed the lead on Lincoln Howell’s brilliant 20-yard run which found the junior doing a full pirouette before tiptoeing down the sideline.
The Cougars would only advance as far as the Little Miami 37 the rest of the game.
Clemmons didn’t hold back his admiration for his team in a quiet Edgewood locker room after the game.
“I am proud of this group,” he said. “Those guys gave this team and this community all they had. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Little Miami 0-0-0-10—10
Edgewood 0-7-0-0—7
E: Lincoln Howell 20 run (Dustin Turner kick)
L: Brody Reder 2 run (Alex Hobbs kick)
L: Hobbs 28 field goal
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