-Finfrock runs for 286 yards in 28-18 win
The winds howled; the rain poured down in sheets, and temperatures dropped into the forties. M-U Head Coach Bret Pearce had to smile a little as weather played havoc in New Lebanon, Ohio. His ground and pound Bulldogs are “mudders,” while the Greyhounds of Dixie High School like to spread and possess the football with short passes. This weather suited theMiltonstyle of play, and when all was said and done, the Bulldogs thrived then survived 28-18 on Friday night.
Dixie scored first late in the first quarter when on 4th down at the Dixie 36-yard line, a bad snap from center cost the Dogs 33 yards with Dixie taking over first and ten at the Milton 33-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore stand out Ryan Jordan scored on a 33 yard scamper. The extra point was blocked (a huge theme throughout the game), but the Greyhounds led 6-0.
After anotherMiltonpunt, Jordan struck again with a 53-yard run all the way to the M-U 26-yard line, andDixiesat poised to add to the lead. However, a 40-yard field goal attempt was short, and M-U had dodged a bullet.
Following a thirty minute lightning delay, M-U drove 80 yards on five plays, and Clay Minton scored on a 29-yard touchdown run. Nick Fields booted the PAT to make the score 7-6.
Dixiepunted after just three plays, and M-U struck again in 1:51. This time Jake Finfrock sprinted 24-yards for the touchdown, and Fields again was true making the score 14-6. A promising Dixie drive stalled at midfield after sacks by Jesse Simpson and Austin Dickison, and the second quarter ended 14-6 Bulldogs.
Dixiestarted with the football in the second half, but two drives ended on downs and a punt. M-U took full advantage, and Finfrock scored from 5 yards out, and following Fields PAT, it was all Bulldogs 21-6 with just 1:14 left in the third quarter.
With time waning short, Dixie went no huddle. Dixie quarterback Luke Bowling hit on nine passes during a 15 play drive withJordanfinally scoring on a 4-yard run. Dixiewent for two, but the pass failed, and the Bulldogs still led by two scores at 21-12 with 8:50 remaining.
M-U tried to run clock but fumbled on a botched reverse, and Dixietook over again on the Bulldog 36-yard line with 5:38 remaining in the contest. Three complete passes and a Bowling scramble brought the ball to the Bulldog 9-yard line 1st and goal. However, the drive stalled with three straight incomplete passes. Dixie decided to try a 26-yard field goal to make it a one score contest. The Bulldogs blocked the try, and for all intents and purposes the game was over. Jake Finfrock wanted to make sure.
It took just 12 seconds for Finfrock to run 86 yards untouched, and Fields again nailed the PAT giving the Bulldogs an insurmountable 28-12 lead with 3:46 remaining. Bowling added a final touchdown pass forDixielate in the game leaving the final score at 28-18.
Jake Finfrock ran for 286 yards on the night falling thirteen yards short of the school record for a single game. M-U had 373 yards total offense. Dixie finished the evening with 340 yards.
With the win, Milton has all but clinched a playoff berth, and now sets its sights on a league title next week at undefeated Waynesville. Game time is set for 7:30.
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