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“It’s something Coach (Nick) Yordy talked to us about,” gushed Hegemann after Badin delivered a thorough 38-21 knockout of rival Alter in a Division III, Region 12 semifinal at Monroe on Friday night. “Become legends at Badin and bring back the tradition. It’s all about making our own history.”
Badin (9-3) advanced with a history-making sweep of Alter. The Rams snapped a 22-game losing skid to the Knights – dating back to 1999 – with a 42-7 Week 6 KO in the regular season and topped that with Friday’s Week 12 dominator encore.
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Badin will take a five-game win streak against Trotwood (9-3), which blasted St. Marys Memorial 41-7 at Sidney in Friday’s other regional semi. Yordy wasn’t certain if Badin and Trotwood had ever played – “I have no idea” - although he coached against Trotwood as an offensive assistant at Mount Healthy before landing the Badin job.
“We know they’re a very good football team,” Yordy said of Trotwood, which has won two state titles, including a D-III championship in 2017. “We’re going to be in for another battle.”
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The Ohio High School Athletic Association will announce neutral sites for all the regional finals on Sunday.
Badin also owns a state title, way back in 1990. The Rams’ postseason history includes playing in eight state semifinals, but not since 1998. Trotwood played in eight straight state semis from 2010-17. That’s what awaits the Badin/Trotwood winner.
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“It’s something we’ve been working for all season,” Hegemann said, “Our motto is Return to Dominance and we’re returning to dominance.”
Except for a few plays, Badin dominated Alter, offensively and defensively. Hegemann did his part, scoring on offense and defense. Rams senior quarterback Zach Switzer had two second-quarter touchdown passes. Rams senior running back Alex DeLong contributed a career-high 239 yards rushing and another score.
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Hegemann returned an interception 10 yards for a third-quarter score. Badin linebacker Michael Schweinefuss also intercepted a screen pass and returned it 12 yards for another Rams’ defensive score on the first play of the fourth quarter. That was ruled a fumble recovery. He led the swarming Rams defense with five solo tackles and six assists.
Alter (7-5) pulled within 10-7 in the second quarter on QB Kale Steneman’s 56-yard TD strike to Seth Morris. Steneman also had a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter to cut Badin’s advantage to 17-14. Badin quickly reasserted itself with those defensive gems.
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“We made some costly mistakes,” conceded Alter coach Ed Domsitz, who guided the Knights to a D-III state title appearance last season. “We made some big plays and did some good things, but it was not enough. They’re a very good football team. They played another great ball game. They’re going to be tough to beat.”
Junior Branden McDonald, Alter’s leading rusher the last two seasons with more than 2,800-plus yards, made a brief two-series appearance late in the third quarter. Ailing from a high ankle sprain, he limped off the field after his second carry. He missed the 10-7 Week 11 defeat of Chaminade Julienne.
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Now, more possible Badin football history awaits the Rams.
“We got that (Alter) monkey off our back in Week 6,” Yordy said. “We knew we were going to be in for a battle and it was. What a win for these kids and the overall program and the direction we want to keep this thing headed.”
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