2009 football season a memorable one

The season was filled with big plays, big upsets and big performances this fall.

Corey Thomson carries West Liberty-Salem's flag before the Tigers hosted Southeastern on Sept. 25. West Liberty-Salem won the matchup of 4-0 teams 20-0.

Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic Corey Thomson carries West Liberty-Salem's flag before the Tigers hosted Southeastern on Sept. 25. West Liberty-Salem won the matchup of 4-0 teams 20-0.

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By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer 12:07 AM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

In some ways, a 10-game football season can drag on forever — just think about the 90-degree days in August and how long those practices last. In other ways the season flies by, and now the 2009 regular season has given way to the playoffs. To honor the 10-week season, here are 10 highlights:

• Graham started the season strong with a 28-3 win at Tippecanoe. Hard to say what was more impressive: The four TDs or limiting the Red Devils to a field goal. That win spurred the Falcons to an 8-2 record and a near-miss for the playoffs. They still won the Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division.

“We really thought we had a shot there,” Graham head coach Nic Black said of the playoffs. “There were multiple scenarios for us getting in and we thought we were going to end up in that eighth slot.”

• Shawnee beat Tecumseh with a 14-10, come-from-behind win at Spitzer Stadium. The win ultimately sent the Braves to the playoffs.

• In response to that loss, Tecumseh beat Tippecanoe the next week 26-0 on the same field. The Red Devils had four first downs and 20 rushing yards.

• Northeastern started the season with a 44-29 win against rival Kenton Ridge at Conover Field. The Jets scored 24 points in a fast-paced second quarter only to see the Cougars score 23 in the second half.

• Catholic Central scored twice in the fourth quarter on touchdown passes from Brian Kelly for a 13-12 win at Mechanicsburg.

• Evans Stadium was especially kind to Springfield. The Wildcats won twice in overtime (Hamilton and Trotwood-Madison), and beat Northmont in the mud.

• West Liberty-Salem shut down Southeastern 20-0 in a matchup of 4-0 teams at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers went on to win the Ohio Heritage Conference.

• Southeastern secured its first playoff berth in seven years with a 42-40 comeback win against Northeastern. That win was huge for the Trojans’ postseason push.

• Riley Gault dived into the end zone for an overtime TD to give the Arrows a 13-10 win against Bellefontaine and a share of the CBC Kenton Trail Division title.

• Mason Sherrock scored from 7 yards out, and Northwestern beat Greenon 27-21 in double overtime at Taylor Field. The Warriors finished the season with two wins after an 0-8 start.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.

»Final statistics, B3

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