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[Rocketcorner News]

By Eric Lessig

After Saturday night's Region 18 semifinal against Liberty-Benton, the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds were most definitely experiencing a sense of deja vu.

In last year's regional quarterfinal matchup, the 10-0 Thunderbirds were upset on their home field by the one-loss Eagles.

This time around: Different year, different location, same result.

Mitch Linhart's 3-yard touchdown run in overtime gave Liberty-Benton the lead and on LCC's second play of its possession, Ryan Pitts appeared to be headed into the end zone, but he fumbled on the 4-yard line and Brandon May fell on the ball in the end zone to preserve the Eagles' thrilling 24-17 overtime victory at Wapakoneta's Harmon Field.

Mitch Linhart attempted what would have been the game-winning 40-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, but it was blocked by the middle of the LCC defense, setting up the overtime dramatics.

LCC got off to a fast start when Corey O'Dowd returned the opening kickoff out to the 46-yard line. The Thunderbirds covered the remaining distance in eight plays, capped by Mykale Rogers's 3-yard touchdown run that gave them a 7-0 lead with 8:27 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Eagles responded on the ensuing possession, keeping the ball on the ground for 12 plays of a 14-play drive, but things stalled when Mitch Linhart was sacked for a 5-yard loss. He then booted a 40-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 2:19 remaining in the first.

LCC came back again with a 9-play, 80-yard drive that ended when Colin Stolly completed a swing pass in the left flat to Darius West, who darted his way through the defense for a 19-yard touchdown that bumped the lead back to 14-3 in the early stages of the second quarter.

Liberty Benton then put together another time-consuming drive. The Eagles went 80 yards in 15 plays, taking 7:01 off the clock, and cut the lead to 14-10 with 4:22 remaining in the first half.

On the opening drive of the second half, the Eagles switched strategies, eschewing the ground game in favor of the short pass. Of the 14 plays on the drive, eight came through the air. On third and 16 from the LCC 29, Mitch Linhart found Kyle Bowsher down the right side of the field that gave LB its first lead, 17-14, midway through the third quarter.

The score stayed that way until early in the fourth quarter. LCC kept the ball on the ground for eight of the 10 plays of its drive, but things stalled at the LB 4, where Corey O'Dowd's 21-yard field goal tied the game at 17-all with 9:21 remaining in regulation.

Things stayed that way until the overtime session. Linhart found Joel Bell along the sideline for a 14-yard gain on the first play to give LB a first and goal at the LCC 6. It appeared that the Eagles would have to settle for a field goal again after Linhart was sacked for a loss on third down, but the drive was kept alive by a personal foul face mask penalty. Linhart then scored his touchdown on the next play.

LCC tried to answer. A first down pass fell incomplete and on second down, Pitts was nearly found pay dirt, but he fumbled the ball into the end zone, where May recovered to end the game.

The game was statistically pretty even, with LCC outgaining LB 268 to 252. However, the difference can be seen in total offensive plays, with Liberty Benton running 72 to only 47 for LCC. Liberty Benton's rushing attack was led by Austin Combs and Mitch Linhart, who each carried the ball 21 times, with Combs gaining 66 yards and Linhart gaining 61 yards. Linhart completed 17 of 26 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Bowsher was his top target, with seven receptions for 55 yards. Austin Combs and Joel Bell added four receptions each.

LCC's rushing attack was led by Kalito Lasenby's 81 yards on 14 carries. Sam Huffman added 54 yards. Colin Stolly completed just 7 of 14 passes for 72 yards. Sam Huffman and Mykale Rogers each had three receptions and Darius West added the other.

Lima Central Catholic's season for the second year in a row with an 11-1 record. Liberty-Benton, also 11-1, advances to play familiar playoff foe Patrick Henry at a neutral site to be determined.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
LB: 3 7 7 0 7 - 24
LCC: 7 7 0 3 0 - 17

SCORING SUMMARY
LCC- Rogers 3-yard run (Stolly kick), 8:27
LB- Linhart 40-yard FG, 2:19

Second Quarter
LCC- Stolly 19-yard pass to West (Stolly kick), 11:23
LB - Linhart 1-yard run (Linhart kick), 4:22

Third Quarter
LB - Linhart 29-yard pass to Bowsher (Linhart kick), 6:59

Fourth Quarter
LCC - O'Dowd 21-yard FG, 9:21

Overtime
LB - Linhart 3-yard run (Linhart kick)