By Brett Barnes
-Oakwood Quarterback Max Banke leads Jacks over M-U 27-26
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, M-U’s Chase Martens took a handoff and sprinted untouched 70yds for a Milton-Union touchdown. The M-U faithful exploded as the Bulldogs had battled all the way back to take a 26-21 lead, their first lead since early in the first quarter.
That is when Oakwood took the ball to the Banke.
Senior quarterback Max Banke had already played a huge role in the football game. He had thrown two second quarter touchdown passes to give Oakwood a 14-6 lead after the Bulldogs had scored in the first quarter on a drive that lasted nine minutes. Six different Bulldogs carried the football on that drive before Kenton Dickison scored from three yards out.
Now it was crunch time, and all the momentum had swung to the Bulldogs. Banke threw for ten, and then ran for four. He threw for nine more yards and when all was said and done Banke would play a part in seven of the nine plays. He would account for 68yds rushing and passing. The final 11yds came on a screen pass to fellow senior Chase Randolph for an Oakwood touchdown. It had taken just 4:19 for the Jacks to take back the lead.
The Bulldogs had already battled back from a 21-6 second quarter deficit when London Cowan hit Quintan Weiss from 24 yards out to make the score 21-13 at the half. Then to open the third quarter, Cowan scored again on a QB keeper to cut the lead to 21-19.
Now they had to do it again. After a first down, the Bulldogs’ offense bogged down. On 4 11, Cowan rolled out and threw. An Oakwood defender stepped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the football… his name was Max Banke.
Milton held once again, and on fourth down, Oakwood tried a fake punt that backfired. The ball carrier was tackled for no gain at the Oakwood 45yd line. M-U had the ball with 3:06 left and just 45yds to the game winner. However, four plays netted just 8yds, and Oakwood ran out the clock in victory formation.
Milton-Union ended the night with 338 total yards, led on the ground by Chase Martens (151 yards), and in the air by Cowan, who threw for 83 yards (7/13). Oakwood finished with 367 total yards, 214 from the arm and legs of Max Banke.
M-U now stands 0-2 and host Tipp City on Friday. Game time 7:30.
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