3 late TDs help Patriots edge rival

LEWIS CENTER — The situation couldn’t have been much worse for Olentangy Liberty when it got the football for the first time in the second half of its annual game against sister school Orange.

The visiting Patriots trailed by 18 points after a 75-yard touchdown drive by the Pioneers took 9 minutes, 8 seconds off the clock in the third quarter.

What happened next, though, would later leave veteran Liberty coach Steve Hale standing in the darkness outside the stadium, dazed by what he had just seen.

Liberty scored three touchdowns, including a 2-yard run by 215-pound tailback Matthew Webb with 32 seconds left, to come away with a stunning 25-24 victory Friday night before a standing-room crowd.

“Our kids are amazing people,’’ Hale said. “We’ve been working on leadership — even cutting into practice time — to develop them as young men. The way they fought so hard is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. It showed tremendous leadership and character. This is something special, something the kids will remember the rest of their lives.’’

The Patriots (7-2, 4-0) claimed at least a share of the Ohio Capital Conference Buckeye Division championship and might have secured a first-round home playoff game in winning for the eighth time in nine games against the Pioneers (8-1, 3-1).

A 9-yard touchdown reception by Benjamin Roderick with 9:28 to go in the fourth quarter and 1-yard run by Webb with 3:01 left got Liberty to within 24-19.

The final task look daunting when the Patriots got the ball back for the final time at their 43-yard line with 2:26 left.

“Nothing changed,’’ Webb said of the comeback. “We all came together and pulled together in the huddle. We said 100 percent we’re not losing. The final drive, we practice the twominute drive all the time. Our coaches said to stay into it, that we’re a second-half team.’’

What saved the Pioneers on the third play of their final drive was a defensive holding penalty on thirdand-14 that took the ball to the Orange 49.

Then junior quarterback Mitchell Okuley completed third-down passes to Webb for 11 and 12 yards, the latter completion putting the ball on the 11. Webb set up his touchdown run with a 9-yard run to the 2.

“I thought everyone did a good job of staying calm, playing fast and doing what he had to do,’’ Okuley said. “We have a lot of toughness on our team.’’

Okuley was 9 of 14 for 117 yards in the second half.

Wingback Johnny Wiseman saluted the coaching staff for making the players mentally tough.

“Our coaches always teach us to think the process,’’ he said. “We are put into mental situations where we are pushed to never give up in a game.’’

Completed 20 of 31 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Grove City.

Completed 15 of 23 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-21 win over Centennial.

Completed 24 of 33 passes for 276 yards in the loss to Dublin Jerome.

Completed 11 of 26 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-19 win over Central Crossing. Completed 12 of 17 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Lancaster.

Had seven receptions for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the victory over Centennial.

Had six receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Central Crossing. Had three receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 35-6 win over Lakewood. BY THE 16: 88.9: 3: -9: NUMBERS

Consecutive wins by Pickerington Central over Reynoldsburg.

Completion percentage for Eric Bonte of Hamilton Township, whose 16 completions included the game-winning, 17-yard TD toss to Kazeon Ross with 1:43 remaining against Amanda-Clearcreek.

Different types of touchdowns produced by James Lachey of Grandview, who ran, passed and returned an interception for scores to beat Logan Elm.

Rushing yards for Briggs in a loss to Eastmoor Academy.