Licking Valley advanced
to play Canal Fulton
Northwest for a
regional title.

BY ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WOOSTER — A third-quarter comeback and nearly 300 passing yards by West Branch quarterback Steve McNeely weren’t enough Friday night as the Warriors were eliminated from the Division III playoffs by Newark Licking Valley.

West Branch wasted a two-touchdown third period that tied the score at 21-all, as Newark Licking Valley scored 14 points off three turnovers in a 35-21 victory at Follis Field. The Panthers will play for the regional championship next Friday against Canal Fulton Northwest.

“I don’t think they really stopped us all night,” said West Branch coach Bob Altenhof. “We really stopped ourselves a few times with the turnovers and dropped passes. We just made some mistakes that you can’t make against a team like that.

“The kids really played hard and came back in the second half. But they are big and strong and while we did a decent job with their running game, they hit a couple long runs on us.”

After West Branch tied the contest at 7-all with 3:30 left in the second quarter on a 24-yard pass from McNeely to Jase Uyselt, Licking Valley seized the momentum in a hurry.

Josh Bailey broke loose for a 57-yard scoring run on the second play of the Panthers’ next possession to give Licking Valley a 14-7 advantage.

The Warriors lost their first fumble of the contest two plays later, giving the Panthers prime field position at the West Branch 29. Only 46 seconds later, junior Storm Klein, who has already made a verbal commitment to Ohio State scored from 6 yards out to boost the cushion to 21-7 at the intermission.

West Branch battled back in the third quarter, forcing a turnover and converting it into a 30-yard scoring play from McNeely to Jeremiah James. That score closed the gap to 21-14.

The Warriors’ defense forced a three-and-out and West Branch took over at the Panthers’ 48. Corey Catania rumbled 3 yards for the score three plays later to get the Green and White back to even at 21-all heading into the fourth quarter.

But Klein, who finished with 183 rushing yards, scored twice in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. His 11-yarder with 8:47 remaining put the Panthers ahead 28-21.

After West Branch fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, Licking Valley controlled the clock with a drive lasting over four minutes and resulting in a 1-yard score by Klein. That gave the Panthers a two touchdown advantage, which proved to hold up.

It was a strong final game for McNeely, who completed 26 of 48 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. James was the main beneficiary, grabbing 12 catches for 129 yards.

“They have a good offense over there and we just wanted to keep them off the field,” said Licking Valley coach Randy Baughman. “Their quarterback showed a lot of composure and was very accurate. We feel fortunate to be playing another week.

“I think our offensive line was the biggest difference tonight. Both our backs ran well and we were able to use the clock in our favor.”