Tipp City, Ohio — The 3-0 Tippecanoe Red Devils welcomed the 4-0 Piqua Indians at Tipp City Park for a matchup that would decide the winner of the MVL Miami division. Tippecanoe was coming off of one of the biggest wins in Matt Burgbacher’s second season since returning to Tipp. The Red Devils knocked off Burgbacher’s former school and longtime rival Troy on a last-second touchdown by senior Tyler Carlson.
“Winning the Troy game was huge for us this year and for the classes that follow us,” said Carlson. “It was pivotal for our program and was the first time we beat them in 81 years so that was extremely exciting for us.”
Piqua was also coming off a big win. The Indians defeated a previously unbeaten Stebbins team 27-0 last week. Piqua will be one of the top seeds in division two come playoff time and the Indians are playing their best football down the stretch of the regular season.
Piqua’s opening drive was stopped as sophomore quarterback Brady Ouhl was sacked by senior linebacker Kevin Thompson. This sack ignited the Tipp sideline and forced a punt from Piqua.
When asked about how that sack felt, Thompson said, “since the sack was on the first drive on 3rd down a stop would be crucial. Coming off the backside to run down the QB was just an electric feeling. I wanted that MVL title and needed to get my team rolling if we were going to beat Piqua.”
Tippecanoe had a three-and-out on their opening drive as senior quarterback Troy Taylor overthrew his intended target.
On the first play of Piqua’s second drive, Ouhl kicked it out to Keagon Patton on a screen pass. Patton was able to shed a tackler and take it 55 yards into Red Devil territory. The Indians were able to finish off the drive just a couple plays later, as senior halfback Ca’Ron Coleman took it 25 yards for a Piqua touchdown.
After Jerell Lewis forced a Tipp punt after a stop, he caught a seven-yard reception to set the Indians up. Jasiah Medley and Tanner Kemp both converted on 4th & 1 during the drive. That led to the eventual 10-yard touchdown carry from Kemp to put the Indians up 14-0 early on in the second quarter.
Tippecanoe’s next drive was cut short after they finished a yard short on 3rd & 6. They punted it to Piqua who then fumbled on their first play. The fumble was forced by Tippecanoe senior Caye Carmack and was recovered by the Red Devils leader in Tyler Carlson.
When asked what his though process was when he saw the ball on the ground, Carlson said, “I initially thought he was going to be tackled so I slowed up but they popped the ball out so all I was thinking was grab that ball and don’t stop running.”
The Piqua defense made another stand and held the Red Devils to just a field goal. This cut the deficit to 14-3 with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter.
The Red Devils got the ball back with little time remaining in the first half. Troy Taylor gave Tipp back the momentum with a miraculous 27-yard carry which could have easily been a sack. The senior quarterback then gave Piqua back the momentum as he forced a throw into the endzone on 3rd & 5 that was picked off by Piqua’s Aidan Meyer. The Indians led 14-3 at the half.
After three straight three-and-outs to open the second half, Brady Ouhl connected with his brother Blane Ouhl for a 12-yard catch. This setup a much more manageable 4th & 1. Ca’Ron Coleman would convert for the Indians as he carried two Tipp defenders on his back to get the first down. Coleman then converted on 3rd & 1 and finally finished off the drive with an 8-yard run to put Piqua up 21-3.
Jerell Lewis continued to step up for this Piqua defense. The senior sacked Taylor on 3rd down to force a punt. Ouhl then connected with Dre’Sean Roberts for an 11-yard reception before Ca’Ron Coleman put the dagger into Tipp with his 44-yard run to the house. This put the Indians up 28-3 and took all the momentum to the Piqua sideline.
The rest of the contest was mainly defensive stops. Ouhl barely overthrew Cory Miller who was wide open. This incomplete pass would have easily been another Piqua touchdown had it been caught.
Troy Taylor found Camden Swartout a couple of times on the final Tipp drive. One of those was a conversion on 3rd & 10 and then a diving catch to move the chains again. The drive ended after Taylor was sacked on 4th & 7 by Ca’Ron Coleman who let his presence felt as he put the game away.
Piqua running back Ca’Ron Coleman finished the game with 112 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Brady Ouhl went 13/21 and had 111 yards in the air. Jerell Lewis finished with 4 tackles and 2 sacks on the night to lead the Indian defense.
Tippecanoe was led offensively by Troy Taylor. He went 18/37 in the air with 142 yards. Junior running back Griffin Caldwell had 57 yards on the ground. The Red Devil defense was led by Cayd Everhart who finished with 12 tackles. Everhart had established himself as one of the top defensive players in the MVL. Tyler Carlson also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery for Tippecanoe.
This win gives Piqua the outright MVL Miami championship. This also improves their record to 5-0. Jerell Lewis said, “it was good all the time we put in the off season and all the hard work during quarantine and during the summer we expect no less then bring home the MVL tittle.”
Tipp falls to 3-1 with this loss and will take on Xenia next week to close out their regular season.