by Ricky Mulvey
Story courtesy of Loveland High School Roar
Ricky Mulvey is Editor-in-Chief of the Roar and Sports Director for Loveland Magazine
Columbus, Oh. - With less than two minutes left in the contest last Friday night against Zanesville, Loveland fans started to pile out of the stands. The Tiger offense looked like they had lost their momentum, they were down by eight, and Zanesville seemed ready to book hotel rooms in Canton. There was no way the Tigers were going to come back. They had a whole field to cover. They were fighting a loud and hungry team. It was way too cold out. Better go home.
That was until Drew Plitt (10) connected a couple of passes to Giovanni Ricci (11); one of which was a 36-yard bomb to the end zone. A leaping Plitt gave Loveland the needed two-point conversion. Only 17 seconds remained with the game tied. Better head back to the stands. Of course the Tigers could do it. The Tigers are a loud and hungry team. Whoever needed more than a minute to cover the length of a football field anyway?
Overtime arrived. Loveland and Zanesville matched each other with touchdowns in the first go around, but a 29-yard field goal from Evan Burig (11) put the Tigers up by three in the second stanza.
“It felt pretty good man; it felt pretty good,” said Burig.
Zanesville tried to surpass Loveland when Thomas Wibbeler connected a touchdown pass to Dar Stanford, but Stanford’s toes were out of bounds. In a game of 100 yards, three inches was what it came down to. Three inches sent Loveland to the state championship.
“It’s been a heck of a ride, but were not done yet,” said Jake Junod (11).
This roller coaster will make its final stop in Canton against the Glenville Tarblooders. The team is under the stewardship of Ted Ginn who coached Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, and his son, Ted Ginn Jr, who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers.
Ginn has a pantheon of talent for the state championship, but his top weapon, his atomic bomb, will be senior Marshon Lattimore.
Lattimore scored four touchdowns in their 41-13 state semi-final victory against Highland. He is the number one prospect in the state of Ohio and has received offers from The Ohio State University and Alabama. Scout has listed him as the fifth ranked receiver nationally, and Lattimore is also a talented cornerback. He will be the best player Loveland has faced all season.
Glenville has one loss, though it came against Division I heavyweight St. Edward; a team that chalked up a victory against Moeller.
Many are not giving Loveland a chance in this game. After all, Glenville has the momentum. Glenville is a loud
and hungry team. It will be cold game against a northern ball club. Better go home.
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