Allen East defenders team up to tackle Tri Village quarterback Braden Keating during Saturday night’s Division VI playoff game at Bellefontaine.
BELLEFONTAINE — One more week.
The Allen East faithful began to chant this after Allen East down New Madison Tri-Village 37-7 in the Division Vi regional semifinals on a snowy Saturday.
Allen East (12-1) will face Marion Local in the regional final. New Madison ends its season 11-2.
Big plays from the defense and the special teams, along with a steady offensive performance, were the keys to Allen East coming up with the win.
The Mustang defense, which has been outstanding throughout the postseason, continued its strong play by containing the Patriots’ running game and forcing four turnovers with the first two fumble recoveries led to Allen East points.
The defense also made five sacks and had an interception to go along with the two fumble recoveries.
Tri-Village running back Reed Weir who came into the game with more than 1,300 yards this season, was limited to 44 yards on 13 carries.
“That was my biggest concern coming into the game,” said Billings about the Patriots’ top runner.
But the defense continually bottled him up and the Patriots never gained any type of offensive footing.
And while the the Mustangs also slid and slipped ts way through the offense the Mustangs had more success with the hard-nose running of Jack Hole who finished with 105 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.
Mustang Jacob Hershberger passed for a touchdown, a 29 yard pass in the fourth quarter to Keaton Lehman.
With the offense struggling, the Mustangs special teams came through with two touchdowns. Hershberger, who does most of his damage as the Mustang signal caller had a 75 yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Mustang Joe Hoel also provided a score on the special teams and it came after a Madison touchdown that not only gave the Mustangs a 23-7 lead at halftime.
Mustang kicker Braylen Kennedy had a first quarter 32-yard field goal.
“I thought the weather didn’t affect us as much as them,” Billings said. “We were able to maintain possession better. We were able to kick a field goal in this and that is crazy. All around it was a great performance. Two special teams scores definitely changes the game.”
The Patriots’ touchdown was the first score the Mustangs have given up this postseason after shutting out their first two opponents.
“The two turnovers early were big but the big things we had three guys playing out of position because we lost two guys at the same position last week,” Billings said. “Jacob Pinks stepped up and played and Joe Hoel switched positions and played well and Caden Hedrick played a lot more football than he normally does so those guys and for us to keep down to seven is awesome.”
With the victory, the Mustangs return to the regional finals and this marks the first time in school history the team has accomplished that feat.
“For us to get here two years in a row has never happened before,” Billings said. “I think our kids worked really hard and these kids deserve it. It is awesome. It is so tough to get back.”
Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.
