By Joe Gorman

jgorman@vindy.com

LEAVITTSBURG

LaBrae rode two scores in the first four minutes of a Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal game to a 21-0 win over visiting Wickcliffe on Saturday night.

The Vikings (10-1) shut out the Blue Devils (8-3), who were averaging more than 40 points, by forcing six turnovers, including five interceptions. LaBrae’s Benton Tennant picked off four passes himself.

The Vikings were also without starting quarterback Kent Wolford due to an injury. His replacement, Dominic Harris, completed 8 of 10 passes for 90 yards with one interception.

Vikings coach John Armeni told his players afterwards to not be satisfied with one win.

“We want to push this thing as far as we can go,” Armeni said.

He also credited his defense for its work in shutting out the Blue Devils.

“They played with a fire in their belly,” Armeni said. “We knew we had to try to match their physicality. You have to be happy but you can’t be satisfied.”

The Vikings scored on the second play following the opening kickoff when Walt Allie went around right end with a handoff and raced 79 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. The extra point gave LaBrae a 7-0 lead.

On their second play after they received their kickoff, the Blue Devils fumbled on their own 28-yard line and the Vikings recovered. Allie scored six plays later on a 9-yard run and the extra point increased LaBrae’s lead to 14-0.

Wickcliffe only managed to threaten once in the first, getting to the Vikings’ 16 before turning the ball over on downs.

However, the Blue Devils received the second-half kickoff and starting at their own 5, marched down to the Vikings’ 12, aided by two straight personal foul penalties. They kept the ball for more than six minutes, but the drive fizzled on two straight penalties and the Blue Devils turned the ball over on downs. They never threatened again.

Wickcliffe coach Marce Porcello said his team was confident coming out after halftime, but not getting any points after holding onto the ball for so long was a backbreaker.

“It was very deflating,” Porcello said.

LaBrae put the game away late in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard run up the middle by Harris, followed by the extra point.

Porcello said he was happy with his defense, especially after falling behind early, noting that LaBrae averages more than 50 points a game. But his team committed too many turnovers, Porcello said.

Armeni praised Tennant, saying his work ethic is one of the best on the team.

“He always rises to the occasion,” Armeni said.

Allie led the Vikings with 11 carries for 137 yards. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings rushed for 105 yards, with Colton Stoneman adding 41 yards and Harris 17.

LaBrae will face Akron Manchester in a regional semifinal Saturday at a neutral site to be announced today. Manchester beat Sandy Valley 35-0 a regional quarterfinal.