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Anderson squeaks past Lakota West on late field goal

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By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 1:08 AM Sunday, November 8, 2009

CINCINNATI — Asked what the difference was in his team’s 24-21 playoff loss to Anderson, Lakota West High football coach Larry Cox didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Not much,” Cox said.

And he’s right.

With the margin of error so slim in the postseason, the No. 6 Firebirds saw their first-ever playoff victory slip away in a three-point defeat to the No. 3 Redskins on Saturday night, Nov. 7, at Anderson High School.

Anderson’s Tommy Chapman nailed a 43-yard field goal with 2:39 remaining in the game for the difference.

“When they needed a stop, they made a stop,” Cox said. “When they needed a first down, they got a first down. This is one of those games where you look at key plays. Our special teams broke down. There were critical offensive penalties that we had. In a game of this magnitude, you can’t have that.”

West (9-2) was unable to take advantage of two first-half turnovers by the Redskins, including Jordan Hicks’ interception and return to midfield with 2:59 to go before intermission.

A three-and-out ensued, and Anderson (11-0) marched down the field for the go-ahead score on Kyle Slater’s 14-yard run to make it 14-13 with 28 ticks left.

“We had chances, and we didn’t capitalize,” Hicks said. “We had too many stupid mistakes. They came out ready to play and we didn’t.”

The Redskins scored on their first possession of the second half on Brandon Bornhauser’s 1-yard TD plunge, and appeared to be in position to make it a two-score game early in the fourth quarter.

But Chapman’s 37-yard field goal attempt was wide left, and four plays later, West’s John Peters hooked up with Kyle Kramer for a 64-yard TD pass. Jordan Thompson ran in the two-point conversion to tie it up at 21-21 with 7:12 remaining.

“They hit us with a big one,” Anderson coach Jeff Giesting said. “They came back and it was a good call by them. We blew a coverage. They didn’t quit. They kept coming.”

Unwavered, the Redskins drove right down the field behind the legs of Slater, setting up Chapman’s game-winner.

The Firebirds, though, had one final shot. But back-to-back incompletions by Peters and a pass to Thompson for no gain forced them to punt with under two minutes to go.

“The first two plays, we just didn’t make the plays,” Cox said. “We didn’t make the completions when we needed to. We’ve relied on J.T. our whole season, and there’s nothing wrong with going back to my warhorse. Again, there’s where their kids made a play and our kids didn’t.”

Slater gained 11 yards on three carries to secure the win and finish the night with 264 yards on 33 totes.

After Slater ran back the game-opening kickoff 98 yards for a TD, West answered with a 14-play, 80-yard drive capped off by Thompson’s 1-yard TD run.

Thompson also caught a 18-yard TD pass at the 5:32 mark of the second quarter to give the Firebirds a 13-7 advantage.

Thompson finished with 113 yards on 28 carries, while Peters was 13-of-22 for 183 yards.

Anderson will play No. 7 Middletown (10-1) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 14.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.

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Looks like Anderson can contend with the Division 1 teams after crushing the Division 2 teams the past two seasons. I have to give praise to the offensive line of Anderson for doing such a great job blocking and open up the gaps for Slater to run through. Some of the holes were so big that Tank Johson could have ran for 100+ yards. Great job Anderson, keep winning!!!

BA
4:15 PM, 11/9/2009

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You mean the "Chosen One" aka Jordan Hicks couldn't just snap his fingers and give West the victory???? Maybe he is human after all - nah - he must be special, otherwise the J-N wouldn't cover him like he's the only player in the area who is going on to play college football. Or maybe it's because he's from West "We're better than YOU" Chester. Maybe now we'll get a break from the J-N's "All Jordan Hicks all the time" sports reporting philosophy. At least I hope so.

what?!
4:50 PM, 11/8/2009

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wasn't there but sounded like a good game - not too sure it was a squeaker like the headlines says from the article - it seems like slater of anderson outperformed the best running back in lakota west history; where was the big man alex smith - it looks like lakota west could have used him - take care

jackbo
6:50 AM, 11/8/2009

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