O-G rolls past Clearview

SHEFFIELD TWP. - Apparently the film study paid off for both teams this week as Ottawa-Glandorf and Clearview managed to stop each other's big-play running backs early in their Division IV regional quarterfinal matchup Friday night.

The difference was the Titans had other players ready to step up when senior Jacob Lugo couldn't find success against the Clippers defensive line. After Lugo was stopped for no gain on the Titans' first two plays, senior quarterback Taylor Kuhlman ran a bootleg to the right side for a 52-yard gain and scored five plays later to help spark Ottawa-Glandorf to a 56-12 victory.

Ottawa-Glandorf (7-4) will take on Marion Pleasant in the Division IV, Region 14 semifinals Friday. Pleasant beat Eastwood 20-7.

"(Kuhlman) was definitely the kid I worried about going into the game," Clearview coach Mike Collier said. "He's a great runner and I don't think he got enough credit as a runner."

Kuhlman continued to hurt the Clippers, rushing 11 times for 126 yards (11.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns and completing four passes for 79 yards and a third score.

But it wasn't the Titans' offense that had coach Ken Schriner smiling after the dust settled. The Ottowa-Glandorf defense kept Clearview off the scoreboard until their reserves took over and made junior running back Anthony Hitchens look human.

"Everyone's tried to stop him all year," Schriner said. "But nobody was able to do it. Our defense came to play tonight - we won the hitting game, too. I'm pretty excited about that."

Titans defensive back Zach Buckland, who ran back a punt for a 54-yard touchdown in the sec-ond quarter, explained how they were able to slow the 1,500-yard running back.

"Don't let him get outside, hit him, keep hitting him and pursue," Buckland said with a smile. "He's a great player ... a great athlete. We didn't give up those corners and kept him inside the line."

The Titans also turned in a shining performance on special teams. Besides the punt return for a touchdown, Ottawa-Glandorf pressured Clearview punter Lucas Wright several times into short kicks that gave the Titans excellent starting position and turned that position into quick scores.

Kuhlman ran in the first two touchdowns before Buckland's return made it 21-0. Kuhlman then connected with his younger brother Ryan for a 35-yard strike, and fullback Cory Greve punched in two 1-yard scores to make it 42-0 at the half.

"It did kind of snowball there for awhile," Collier said. "We knew we were going to have to play four very good quarters of football against this team and unfortunately we didn't get many breaks in the beginning. We had a couple close ones we almost busted out there.

"But if you're starting out on your 20 every time and they're getting the ball on your 40, you're definitely at a disadvantage."

Schriner said that special teams play is something his Titans team takes pride in.

"That's what we do all year," he said. "Special teams are key, it's a third of the game and our kids worked hard at it and got some big plays out of it tonight."

Lugo finally got untracked in the second half and broke loose for a 15-yard score, then his re-placement - sophomore Draven Delgado - scored to put the Titans up 54-0. They scored their final points on a safety when Clearview quarterback Zach Anderson couldn't haul in a snap and the ball sailed out the back of the end zone.

Clearview scored the last two touchdowns in the final half of the fourth quarter.

"We were very confident," Buckland said. "We had a very good game plan when we came in but I didn't expect it to be this bad."