Defense, receivers pay off for Jaguars
Bradley will reign as the high school football champion in Hilliard for the season after shutting down host Darby 21-7 in the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division opener for both teams.
It is the second year in a row that the Jaguars (4-0) have accomplished the feat, and last year it helped propel them to their first playoff appearance.
“I thought our defense was outstanding,” Bradley coach Michael LoParo said. “Everyone did their jobs, and our linebackers really got after it. I thought (middle linebacker) Cannon Blauser stood out, making plays all over the field.”
“We had trouble blocking them on all levels, and this is what happens when you don’t block well,” Darby coach John Santagata said. “But we’ll get things worked out. Defensively, I thought we played pretty well and limited their big plays for the most part. But they still made a few of those, and they hurt us.”
Darby (2-2) was limited to 176 yards, with 49 of those coming on a Canyon Uphouse run in the third quarter that trimmed the Jaguars’ lead to 14-7. Uphouse added a 44-yard run on the final play of the game in finishing with 126 yards on 11 carries.
After Uphouse's touchdown run, Bradley answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that was capped when quarterback Josh Stewart threw a perfect fade pattern to Zach Hummel for an 11-yard touchdown.
“Josh settled down after a period in the first half where everything was sailing on him,” LoParo said. “He did a good job after we got that corrected.”
Stewart was 23-of-37 passing for 273 yards. He hooked up with Hummel on a 9-yard pass to begin the scoring with 4:24 left before halftime. Stewart then directed a two-minute offense, guiding the Jaguars 69 yards in eight plays and finishing it himself with a 3-yard run for a 14-0 halftime lead.
But he was aided by 6-foot-5 Kory Taylor, who made several good catches, and by slippery receiver Daevon Anderson. Taylor had 12 catches for 96 yards, Anderson six for 109.
“We were in decent position defensively quite a few times and (Taylor) just made plays over top of us,” Santagata said. “They have some good weapons. They’re a very good team.”
The Panthers had 51 total yards at halftime.
“Everybody did their jobs, and we came out and took care of business,” Blauser said. “We were confident that if we came in and played well, we would rule Hilliard again. I think we’re in good position to have another great season.” Rushed for 331 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in a 52-3 win over Worthington Christian. Rushed for 257 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in a 28-13 win over River Valley.
Rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-36 win over Benjamin Logan. Rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a 44-12 win over Africentric. Rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-10 win over Briggs. Rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries in a 41-8 win over Fredericktown.
Completed 15 of 31 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-34 loss to Johnstown. Completed 11 of 12 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in a 61-14 win over Cedarville.
Completed 10 of 17 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 62-13 win over Centennial.
Had 10 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-13 loss to Licking Valley.
Had three receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in a 21-17 loss to Dublin Jerome.
Had three receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 24-22 loss to Ready.