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Perrysburg-
In what was an innocuous start, no one knew what was about to unfold last night on Widdel Field at Steinecker Stadium. One of the greatest single performances I have seen in my time going to playoff games. Austin Rettig carried the ball 30 times for 294 yards and 7 touchdowns to lead the Arlington Red Devils to a 54-14 victory.
The game started off with a whimper. Arlington got the ball first and was quickly forced to punt. The Red Devils also were quick to force an Aces punt.
The next Arlington possession saw Rettig put the ball on the ground with Hicksville recovering. Probably the only negative for Rettig on the night. Again the Devil defense forced a punt.
Hicksville pinned the Red Devils at there own 10 yard line. Thats where Josh Elledge took a handoff up the middle and raced 63 yards till he was caught from behind. Rettig would finish off the drive with a 4 yard dive into the end zone to give Arlington a 7-0 lead after 1 quarter.
The Devils got the ball back near midfield at their own 47. Rettig would blast thru the line for a quick 25 yard gain. He would then cap it off with a 5 yard plunge to pay dirt. That's #2 if you are keeping track at home.
The Aces would finally put together a decent drive down to the Red Devil 3. A TD pass to Karacson was called back due to a holding penalty. The Devil defense would hold Hicksville on 4th and 5 to hold on to a 13-0 lead heading into halftime.
Hicksville got the ball to open the 3rd quarter but could do nothing with it.
The Red Devils started their drive near mid field again. Rettig again finished off the drive with a 4 yard TD run and Arlington was quickly up 20-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Kaleb Johns decided to let the ball roll out of bounds, only it didn't make it there. The Devils cover team slid in as Johns tried to pick it up and took it from him. Arlington had the ball back at the Aces' 18 yard line. 2 plays later, Rettig took it in from 4 yards out. That's #4. Arlington held a 26-0 lead at that point.
The flood gates had been opened.
The size of the Arlington lines were definitely taking its toll on the Aces. Logan Grieser (288), Zach Romick (243), Chase Glick (276), Bryce Hartman (208), Matt Inniger (214), TE Michael Blunk (231). Big bodies that move good and hit their blocks. They cleared the way for Rettig and Elledge.
Arlington got the ball back with 6:48 left in the 3rd at the Hicksville 49. The Devils faced a 4th and 2 from the 30 and converted. That led to another Rettig TD from 7 yards out (#5) and a 33-0 lead with 2:20 on the clock.
Hicksville started their next drive at the 20. Giesige hit Johns on a screen pass and he took it to the house. An 80 yard strike that got the Aces on the board. 33-7
A good kick return gave Arlington the ball at their 40. 2 plays later saw Rettig gash the Aces defense again for a 54 yard TD (#6) and a 40-7 lead late in the 3rd.
The Aces would answer back with another decent drive starting from their own 30. Getting into Red Devil territory, Giesige would pitch the ball to Karacson who would pull up and hit a wide open Zach Yoder from 36 yards out and cut the lead to 40-14 after one play in the 4th quarter.
A weak attempt at an onside kick gave Arlington the ball at the 45 and like every other scoring drive, it ended in a 22 yard run by Rettig crossing the goal line. The Devils held a commanding lead at 47-14 with 10:07 to play.
Jordan Freed would add a late TD for the Devils as they defeat the Hicksville Aces 54-14.
Arlington amassed 459 yards of total offense, all on the ground, on 46 carries. Rettig had 294 and 7tds. Elledge added 98 on 7 carries. Arlington attempted 1 pass which fell incomplete.
Hicksville (7-5) was held to 83 yards rushing on 29 carries. Johns, who had 1,442 yard coming into this game, finished with 54 yards on 15 carries and added 4 receptions for 117 yards and a TD. The Aces were 10-18 passing for 201 yards.
Arlington (9-3) will now face Delphos St Johns (8-4) in the Regional Final at a site to be determined. The Blue Jays defeated Tiffin Calvert 42-10.
