TL;DR
- Hopewell-Loudon defeated eight-time state champion Coldwater 20-18 in the OHSAA Division VI state semifinal.
- Coldwater led 18-6 in the third quarter before Hopewell-Loudon rallied to take the lead.
- Jacoby Ellis threw two touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Brody Brickman.
- Hopewell-Loudon will play St. Henry for the state championship next Saturday in Canton.
Hopewell-Loudon didn't have to beat Coldwater 10 times.
The Chieftains just had to knock off the eight-time state champion Cavaliers once.
On Friday night, the OHSAA Division VI state semifinal at Wapakoneta High School saw precisely that unfold.
The Midwest Athletic Conference's powerhouses rarely lose this time of year.
But on this night, it was the squad from Bascom, Ohio pulling off the biggest shock of the night.
The final score between Hopewell-Loudon and Coldwater
Hopewell-Loudon pulled it out, 20-18.
Coldwater opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal by Bryce Couchot.
Then it was a 4-yard TD run for Derek Dues and a 10-0 Cavaliers lead.
With the first half concluding, Hopewell scored a 20-yard touchdown via Jacoby Ellis to Jack Colatruglio, narrowing the deficit to 10-6.
In the third quarter, Coldwater quarterback Karsyn Homan scored a 3-yard touchdown and secured the 2-point conversion, extending their lead to 18-6.
Kellen Frankart intercepted a pass, then ran for an 8-yard touchdown, before H-L's two-pointer pulled within 18-14 with 3:25 left in the third.
With a fourth-and-3 situation in the final quarter, Ellis connected with Brody Brickman for an 8-yard touchdown, giving them a 20-18 advantage.
That was the game's final score.
Hopewell-Loudon is set to compete for a state championship next Saturday in Canton, facing fellow MAC opponent St. Henry, who defeated Columbus Grove on Friday evening.
More HS football news:
- Marion Local's streak ended at the hands of St. Henry
- An Indiana HS RB nearly caught Derrick Henry's national rushing record