Post by John Knight on Dec 6, 2014 5:15:38 GMT -6
Our favorite old bastard finally got a little hardware worth showing off last night!!
Division II
Cincinnati LaSalle Too Much For Macedonia Nordonia, Wins First State Title
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Third-ranked Cincinnati LaSalle used its high-powered offense and aggressive defense en route to defeating fifth-ranked Macedonia Nordonia 55-20 in the 2014 OHSAA football division II state championship game Friday night at Ohio Stadium, clinching its first state title.
LaSalle (14-1) set two Division II state championship game records. Its eight touchdowns passed the previous record of seven held by two schools. The Lancers’ 55 points passed the previous record of 50 points held by Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 1980.
Prior to this year, LaSalle had not won a playoff game in its four playoff appearances.
"Coming out of our chapel gathering on Thursday, our offense called for the ball to start the game. We drove down the field and scored and that was a huge momentum boost,” LaSalle head coach Nate Moore said after the game. "The interception at the end of the half and the blocked punt in the third quarter were all big plays. We played well in all three phases of the game. We felt good about our pass rush but our defensive backs really played above our expectations. We spent the last 15 weeks holding it together and now get to celebrate."
The Lancers got on the scoreboard first when junior Jeremy Larkin rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. Nordonia senior Jimmy Embrescia kicked a 23-yard field goal to put the Knights on the board. LaSalle would answer with another Larkin touchdown, this time a 45-yard touchdown run. Embrescia’s 30-yard field goal cut LaSalle’s lead to eight at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, LaSalle junior Nick Watson rushed for a 9-yard touchdown. Nordonia senior David Murray found freshman Tye Evans for an 11-yard touchdown pass. With the Lancers leading 21-13, they scored the next five touchdowns of the game. Sophomore Jarell White scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Senior Avery Larkin returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown. Senior John Junker blocked a Nordonia punt and returned it 15 yards to the end zone. Watson found senior Phil Anderson for a 23-yard touchdown reception. Senior Eric Green also scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. In the final minutes, Nordonia’s Murray connected to senior Alex Alders for a 26-yard touchdown reception.
LaSalle’s Larkin finished with 104 yards rushing on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. Watson finished with 72 yards passing, completing four of five passes, with one touchdown, as well as 43 rushing yards on nine attempts and one touchdown. Nodonia’s Murray finished with 251 yards through the air on 22 of 41 passing and two touchdowns. Alders finished with 103 yards receiving on 10 receptions and one touchdown.
The Knights finished the season 14-1 and as state runner up for the second time (2002). They have made the playoffs 12 times and are now 15-12 all-time in the playoffs.
The attendance at the 2014 division II football state championship game was 9,570.
Division II
Cincinnati LaSalle Too Much For Macedonia Nordonia, Wins First State Title
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Third-ranked Cincinnati LaSalle used its high-powered offense and aggressive defense en route to defeating fifth-ranked Macedonia Nordonia 55-20 in the 2014 OHSAA football division II state championship game Friday night at Ohio Stadium, clinching its first state title.
LaSalle (14-1) set two Division II state championship game records. Its eight touchdowns passed the previous record of seven held by two schools. The Lancers’ 55 points passed the previous record of 50 points held by Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 1980.
Prior to this year, LaSalle had not won a playoff game in its four playoff appearances.
"Coming out of our chapel gathering on Thursday, our offense called for the ball to start the game. We drove down the field and scored and that was a huge momentum boost,” LaSalle head coach Nate Moore said after the game. "The interception at the end of the half and the blocked punt in the third quarter were all big plays. We played well in all three phases of the game. We felt good about our pass rush but our defensive backs really played above our expectations. We spent the last 15 weeks holding it together and now get to celebrate."
The Lancers got on the scoreboard first when junior Jeremy Larkin rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. Nordonia senior Jimmy Embrescia kicked a 23-yard field goal to put the Knights on the board. LaSalle would answer with another Larkin touchdown, this time a 45-yard touchdown run. Embrescia’s 30-yard field goal cut LaSalle’s lead to eight at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, LaSalle junior Nick Watson rushed for a 9-yard touchdown. Nordonia senior David Murray found freshman Tye Evans for an 11-yard touchdown pass. With the Lancers leading 21-13, they scored the next five touchdowns of the game. Sophomore Jarell White scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Senior Avery Larkin returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown. Senior John Junker blocked a Nordonia punt and returned it 15 yards to the end zone. Watson found senior Phil Anderson for a 23-yard touchdown reception. Senior Eric Green also scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. In the final minutes, Nordonia’s Murray connected to senior Alex Alders for a 26-yard touchdown reception.
LaSalle’s Larkin finished with 104 yards rushing on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. Watson finished with 72 yards passing, completing four of five passes, with one touchdown, as well as 43 rushing yards on nine attempts and one touchdown. Nodonia’s Murray finished with 251 yards through the air on 22 of 41 passing and two touchdowns. Alders finished with 103 yards receiving on 10 receptions and one touchdown.
The Knights finished the season 14-1 and as state runner up for the second time (2002). They have made the playoffs 12 times and are now 15-12 all-time in the playoffs.
The attendance at the 2014 division II football state championship game was 9,570.
Congratulations! Well deserved!
