A long season marked with injuries and heartbreaking losses came to a disappointing end Friday night for the Badin Rams.

With the Greater Catholic League Central Division title on the line, and an outside shot at the playoffs, the Rams were thumped by visiting McNicholas 29-12 at Virgil Schwarm Stadium.

McNick set the tone early when Thomas Vogele took a screen pass from Austin Ernst 84 yards for a score and Dominic Gabriele returned a pick 20 yards for a touchdown as the Rockets jumped to a quick 13-0 lead. McNick secured the division title and a Division III playoff berth.

“This is the way seasons go sometimes,” BHS coach Bill Tenore said. “Everything in life isn’t always going to go the way you want it and football mirrors life. But we have some tough kids with big hearts, they gave it all they had but McNick has a real nice team and we knew it would be tough to stop (Ernst).”

Ernst had a big night for the Rockets, finishing 15-of-22 for 281 yards and three scores. Vogele and Luke Sulken combined for seven catches for 221 yards and three TDs.

Badin, 5-5, had the ball inside the McNick 5 twice in the first half but came away empty both times after missing field goals.

The latter miss was followed by a 10-play McNick drive capped off by a 30-yard field goal by Pat DiSalvio on the last play of the half.

Badin cut the gap to 16-6 midway thru the third on an Austin Rieman 9-yard scoring burst but the point after run was no good.

Rieman was one of several Rams who returned from injury to lead Badin with 49 yards rushing.

Cameron Mohr threw for 221 yards for Badin but was only 8-of-24 and threw two picks.

McNick, 7-3, answered the Rieman score with a 12-play, 70-yard drive capped by 13-yard scoring toss from Ernst to Vogele.

Nick Browing, four catches, 160 yards, had a 78-yard TD reception for the Rams in the fourth.

Ten seniors played their final game for the Rams, including Kevin Kugler, Hall of Fame coach Terry Malone’s grandson. Kugler’s last game marked the end of a Malone being part of a Badin football team for the first time in 55 years.