Hopewell-Loudon didn't have to beat Coldwater 10 times.
The Chieftains just had to knock off the eight-time state champion Cavaliers once.
And on Friday night in the OHSAA Division VI state semifinal at Wapakoneta High School, that's exactly what happened.
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.
Hopewell-Loudon vs. Coldwater final score
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.
Hopewell scored on the final play of the first half, from Jacoby Ellis to Jack Colatruglio, for a 20-yard touchdown to pull within 10-6.
Coldwater QB Karsyn Homan ran for a 3-yard touchdown and the 2-point conversion for an 18-6 lead in the third quarter.
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.
On a fourth-and-3 in the fourth quarter, Ellis found Brody Brickman for an 8-yard touchdown and a 20-18 lead.
That was the game's final score.
Hopewell-Loudon will play for a state title a week from Saturday in Canton against another Kirtland, a D-VI power which knocked off Colonel Crawford on Friday night.
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