Week 12 Region 9: #1 Athens vs. #4 Tri-Valley

[indianabuck]

I did not say that because of the location of Marion Franklin. That almost be a home game for them. Really Reynoldsburg would be one too, but that is the state.

[bman]

I know it's pretty close to Marion Franklin, but funnier things have happened. I'd say Logan would be a good site, but don't know if they'd want to put Athens there two weeks in a row.

[pfloyd]

Indianabuck - that's what I was thinking too, OHSAA would take this next one Above the Lancaster-Dixon Line ...

[pfloyd]

... IF the bulldogs DID play in Logan next week AND get the W - ole 93bulldog would HAVE TO start liking all that purple out at Chieftain Stadium!!! LOL

[indianabuck]

Zanesville will be the most neutral. I really hope for that or Logan over any site in Franklin County.

[bman]

Oh yes, the power of purple. Athens might have to get purple regional championship shirts if they win, or would that be a cardinal sin? :122249

[indianabuck]

... IF the bulldogs DID play in Logan next week AND get the W - ole 93bulldog would HAVE TO start liking all that purple out at Chieftain Stadium!!! LOL

No he would have green and gold paint for the endzones and call it Rutter Field Northwest.

[noreply66]

If Trimble wins could Logan get that next week?

[indianabuck]

Oh yes, the power of purple. Athens might have to get purple regional championship shirts if they win, or would that be a cardinal sin? :122249

They would HAVE TO be purple!!!

[chiefs]

Chillicothe next week?

[seasick80]

Yes, it was truly a special night to have pfloyd put away the basketball and get out that foreign pigskin.

We need a LIKE button for SEOPS!! Good post!!

[wrestler87]

Gongrats Athens! I hate to take away any thunder, but it's glad Tri-Valley Had the early turnover for a quick score, and the other scoop at the end. Tri Really did win most of the categories. Except passing yardage I'm sure.
I think Athens will possibly have an easier game next week. Unless speed hurts 'em more. This Region is VERY winnable. Good luck.

[Raider6309]

Congrats to both teams. Hope Marion brings their running shoes. Should be a high scoring shoot out

[ironman02]

Great game to watch tonight. Hats off to both teams for leaving it all on the field.

Athens did what they had to do to get the win. They played well offensively as usual, and stepped up to make some big plays at critical times on the defensive side of the ball. Most importantly, though, they took care of the football. Also, I thought Burrow was simply outstanding. He certainly has a knack for making plays when his team needs it the most.

Tri-Valley committed a couple costly turnovers, one which resulted directly in a TD. Mistakes like that can't happen in playoff football or you'll pay the price. I thought they played very well in the trenches, and did a decent job against the Athens offense, but the TD pass they allowed on the last play of the first half and the kick return TD they gave up to Williams really turned the tide of the game after they led 28-14. Just too much to overcome against an explosive team like Athens.

Congrats to the Bulldogs on the win and good luck against Marion-Franklin.

[TigerBacker#1]

Oh man. Pass me some of that GREEN koolaide. I am on the bus. I remain firm that eventually the Athens D is a problem but if it is week 13 or beyond who cares. They do have a week 15 offense. No doubt Burrow is the real deal. Class by himself below the Lancaster Dixon line. Very glad to see him on defense and i do believe it helped the dawgs. Williams is a nice southern Ohio back. His shot at any collegiate level wil be on defense.

Enjoy the experience. Enjoy the ride. The game can not be much closer but hey the dawgs roll on.

[loganlocos]

Congrats to the Bulldogs. Outstanding football game, and outstanding fight from the Bulldogs.

Burrow is a difference maker. Put his team on his back when the TV defensive line took over the game. His scrambling ability after the Scotties took the 21-7 lead was key. A part of his game that most knew was there, but a part he has had to utilize much this season.

Athens played mistake free football, won the turnover battle, and got a special teams score. When you execute well and win the turnover you are hard to beat. Throw in an efficient offense and it becomes even easier.

An early look at the stats show Athens scoring 55 points in 52 offensive plays.

But it was two plays - Adam Luehrman beating two Tri-Valley defenders to a ball at the goal line to end the first half and then Trae Williams kickoff return to start the second (why in the world would you kick to him?) that turned this game on its head.

The Bulldogs made plays when it counted and didn't make mistakes. And Athens had the best player on the field. That's a winning formula.

[WhitieTidies21]

Congratulations Athens on the win. I doubted you and now I am eating some fantastic crow... ha ha.

Those of you that are saying next week will be easier are cracking me up! You can't know anything about MF if that's what you think. Now, Athens will score next week but this will be the best defense you will face so far this year. MF defense is much better than it's offense... which is why we won tonight. However, the offense pretty good. Feel free to go in to next week thinking it's going to be an easy win. Remember... MF knows how to win playoff games. Next Friday, this will be MF's 4th regional final game in 5 years. Just keep this in mind.... only once this year has a team scored more than 20 points on this defense. Athens may score more than 20, but the MF D will get stops. The question is, will Athens stop MF's offense?

I think the game will be in Logan. The OHSAA has no issue with putting a team in a stadium twice. Tri Valley went to Gahanna Lincoln twice in 2011. I'll be surprised if the game is in Franklin County... However, if it's at Reynoldsburg or Hamilton Township... I won't be upset... haha

[loganlocos]

Let me add that I commend the Bulldog staff for sending Burrow out to play some defense tonight. Thought he made a couple of timely plays that made a difference.

Most D3 kids play a majority of their kids both ways, even if many, like TV do a lot of rotating. It made a difference when it counted.

[Raider6309]

Congratulations Athens on the win. I doubted you and now I am eating some fantastic crow... ha ha.

Those of you that are saying next week will be easier are cracking me up! You can't know anything about MF if that's what you think. Now, Athens will score next week but this will be the best defense you will face so far this year. MF defense is much better than it's offense... which is why we won tonight. However, the offense pretty good. Feel free to go in to next week thinking it's going to be an easy win. Remember... MF knows how to win playoff games. Next Friday, this will be MF's 4th regional final game in 5 years. Just keep this in mind.... only once this year has a team scored more than 20 points on this defense. Athens may score more than 20, but the MF D will get stops. The question is, will Athens stop MF's offense?

I think the game will be in Logan. The OHSAA has no issue with putting a team in a stadium twice. Tri Valley went to Gahanna Lincoln twice in 2011. I'll be surprised if the game is in Franklin County... However, if it's at Reynoldsburg or Hamilton Township... I won't be upset... haha

those are tv ppl saying that. We know next week we will have to play our best football to win. I doubt Athens will only score 20. Both teams should put up 40-50. Be a shoot out

[A-Town Big Dog]

Congratulations Athens on the win. I doubted you and now I am eating some fantastic crow... ha ha.

Those of you that are saying next week will be easier are cracking me up! You can't know anything about MF if that's what you think. Now, Athens will score next week but this will be the best defense you will face so far this year. MF defense is much better than it's offense... which is why we won tonight. However, the offense pretty good. Feel free to go in to next week thinking it's going to be an easy win. Remember... MF knows how to win playoff games. Next Friday, this will be MF's 4th regional final game in 5 years. Just keep this in mind.... only once this year has a team scored more than 20 points on this defense. Athens may score more than 20, but the MF D will get stops. The question is, will Athens stop MF's offense?

I think the game will be in Logan. The OHSAA has no issue with putting a team in a stadium twice. Tri Valley went to Gahanna Lincoln twice in 2011. I'll be surprised if the game is in Franklin County... However, if it's at Reynoldsburg or Hamilton Township... I won't be upset... haha

those are tv ppl saying that. We know next week we will have to play our best football to win. I doubt Athens will only score 20. Both teams should put up 50

I'd be stunned if it gets in the 50's next week.