LHS Tigers took West Clermont right to the final second before falling 13-6 at home Friday night
By Chuck Gibson
LOVELAND, OH (September 4, 2020) – The Loveland Tigers scored late and never gave up battling the West Clermont Wolves to the final seconds before falling 13-6 in their second game of the 2020 high school football season.
West Clermont capped off a 22-yd drive with this TD to take a 6-0 lead in firs-half action at Lovelnad Friday night (Chucik Gibson)
West Clermont held a 6-0 lead after 24 minutes of play, scoring their only first-half points on a short 22 yard scoring drive with all 22 yards coming on run plays. They faked the kick and an attempted run for a two-point conversion failed. The Tiger offense moved the ball into West Clermont territory twice during the first half with both drives ending in missed field goals. The last play of the half was a missed 47-yard attempt with a short West Clermont return running out the clock. The Tigers left the field trailing by six.
This 47-yard FG attemppt by Loveland fell well short of the uprights ending the first half (Chuck Gibson)
The Loveland parents in attendance, both from the football team and the band, enjoyed another fine half-time performance by the Loveland High School Marching Band. After an opening dance routine, the band played a mix of their music including the familiar “Africa” and finished the intermission entertainment with a tribute to all branches of the U.S. Military.
The Loveland High School Marching Band entertained those in attendance during halftime of the football game Friday, 9/4 Chuck Gibson
West Clermont point after sails toward the uprights following thier 2nd- half TD (Ball is blurr about 2 Loveland Players) Kick was good. 13-0 Wolves (Chuck Gibson)
Second half action resumed with Loveland receiving the kick-off, but their drive stalled. Neither team was able to break the plane of the goal line during the third quarter. The Tigers did bring the home fans to their feet with a 45 yard scoring pass which appeared to be the first Loveland TD of the season, but it was erased on an offensive penalty call on the play.
The score remained 6-0 in favor of West Clermont until the Wolves penetrated the end zone less than two-minutes into the 4th Quarter. They ran it in at the end of a long drive and converted the point-after kick to take a 13-0 lead with 10:45 to play in the game.
Tiger receiver Ty Lake celebrates after scoring first Tiger TD of the season (running toward sideline with ball still tucked in his hands) (Chuck Gibson)
Loveland took to the air and QB Cloud completed multiple passes to receivers Ty Lake and Ethan Lund getting into West Clermont territory. With just under 5 minutes to play, Cloud dropped back and threw to Lake who beat the Wolves defenders showing good speed for the Tiger touchdown. With 4:51 showing on the game clock, the Tigers converted the point after kick drawing within six points at 13-7.
West Clermont took possession on the ensuing kick-off, drove the ball into Tiger territory running valuable time off the clock, the Loveland defense bent, but did not break holding the Wolves on a fourth-down to give the ball back to the Tiger offense for one final chance to drive for the win.
Tiger Defense huddles up during timeout on just before stopping West Clermont on final drive (Chuck Gibson)
Once more, the Tigers took to the air with Cloud completing passes to Lake and Lund moving the ball all the way down to the West Clermont 22 yard line. An incomplete pass stopped the clock with 7 seconds to play. It was one more play all or nothing. Cloud took the snap, looked, and threw over the middle. A West Clermont defender stepped in front and secured the interception and the Wolves victory with just 1 second showing on the clock.
Final score: West Clermont 13 – 7 over Loveland
The win gives West Clermont a 1-1 record; while the loss drops Loveland to 0-2 to start the season.
With just 1 second showing on the game clock, the scoreboard tells the final story (Chuck Gibson)
Add Tiger Sports Note: The Loveland XC Invitational was held early Saturday, September 5, watch for photos and story coming on Loveland Beacon.
TIGER GAME NOTES:
Offense: Passing – 20/33 for 235 total yards (Calvin Cloud)
Receiving leaders- Tyler Lake: 5/122 ttl yds, Ethan Lund:3/46 ttl yds
Rushing leaders- D’Marqo Johnson 4/37 ttl yds, Mason Moore: 4/17 ttl yds
Kicking – Adam Koscielicki: 0/2 FG, 1/1 PAT
Total offense: Loveland -288 combined, West Clermont – 212 all rushing
Next up: Loveland visits Milford next Friday, 9/11 @ 7 p.m. seeking 1st win.
Other results from around the Eastern Cincinnati Conference Friday, September 4, 2020:
Winton Woods defeated Lebanon 27-20
Turpin beat Milford 49-14
Little Miami played Riverside (No score reported)
Anderson hosts Kings Sat. 9/5 (7 p.m.)
For more on Loveland High School Athletics, go to: www.lovelandtigers.org
For more ECC sports information, go to: www.eccsports.com
