GOSHEN — Missed opportunities and miscues thwarted Blanchester’s upset bid Friday night, as they lost to the unbeaten Goshen Warriors 41-0 at Jim Brown Stadium.
Goshen (5-0) has won three straight in the “King of the Road” series. The Warriors capitalized on six Blanchester turnovers and pulled away in the second half from their SR 28 rival.
Blanchester took its first two possessions inside the Goshen 15, but both ended in turnovers. In total, the Wildcats had two first half interceptions, two fumbles and a blocked punt.
However, the Wildcat defense did well to limit the damage of the five first half turnovers. All six of Goshen’s first half possessions advanced into Blanchester territory, but they managed just two touchdowns.
Goshen’s defense, which allowed just 48 points over the first four weeks, began to impose itself in the second quarter. After allowing Blanchester 86 yards of offense in the first quarter, the Warriors defense held the Wildcats to a minus-2 yards of offense in the second quarter.
After struggling to finish drives in touchdowns in the first half, Goshen’s offense scored touchdowns on two of its first three drives of the second half.
Two Goshen running backs eclipsed the century mark on the ground. Jimmy Strunk had 16 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Adam Slusher had 9 carries for 116 yards.
Brent Hopkins picked up some difficult yards for the Wildcats, gaining 57 yards on 14 carries. All other Blanchester rushers combined for a minus-9 yards on 6 carries.
Goshen won despite committing 12 penalties for 105 yards and having a redzone turnover of its own. The Warriors outgained Blanchester 367 to 144, including 269 to 48 on the ground.
After playing three potential playoff teams over the last four weeks, Blanchester (1-4) will now turn its attention to SBC National Division play, beginning with Bethel-Tate at home.
Meanwhile, Goshen will finish its season with three of its final four against American Division powers. The Warriors play at Wilmington (4-1) in week 7, at home against Clinton-Massie (5-0) in week 8 and they close at New Richmond (4-1).
SUMMARY
Sept. 22, 2017
@ Jim Brown Stadium
Goshen 41, Blanchester 0
B 00.00.00.00…..0
G 07.13.07.14…..41
1st Quarter
G – Jimmy Strunk 34-yard run (Gerardo Espinosa-Ley kick) 5:39
2nd Quarter
G – Espinosa-Ley 26-yard FG 4:28
G – Payton Leugers 14-yard run (Espinosa-Ley kick) 4:07
G – Espinosa-Ley 22-yard FG 0:03
3rd Quarter
G – Kyle Proffitt 2-yard run (Espinosa-Ley kick) 1:17
4th Quarter
G – Proffitt 10-yard pass to Deonte Bailey (Espinosa-Ley kick) 10:36
G – Leugers 47-yard interception return (Espinosa-Ley kick) 8:09
TEAM STATS
PLAYS: G 58; B 45. FIRST DOWNS: G 13; B 8. RUSHES-YARDS: G 40-269; B 20-48. PASSING YARDS: G 98; B 96. COMPLETIONS-ATTEMPTS-INTERCEPTIONS: G 9-18-1; B 11-24-3. TOTAL YARDS: G 367; B 144. PENALTIES-YARDS: G 12-105; B 4-30. FUMBLES-LOST: G 2-0; B 2-2.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing (carries-yards): B Brayden Sipple 2-(-19); Spencer Dissel 1-3; Tanner Creager 1-6; Brent Hopkins 14-57; Justin Ballard 1-1; Blake Richard 1-0. G Payton Leugers 1-14 TD; Jimmy Strunk 16-101 TD; Adam Slusher 9-116; Kyle Proffitt 5-17 TD.
Passing (completions-attempts-interceptions): Sipple 10-23-3 57 yards; Ballard 1-2-0 39 yards. G Proffitt 9-18-1 98 yards TD.
Receiving (catches-yards): B Creager 1-39. G Josh Ulrey 2-8; Deonte Bailey 2-15 TD; Strunk 3-57; Logan Mantz 2-18.
