Badin’s gritty victory shows why it’s unbeaten

Mark Schmetzer Enquirer contributor

Part of Bishop Fenwick’s game plan going into Friday’s game against Greater Catholic League Co-ed League-rival Badin was to hold on to the ball as long as possible in an effort to slow down the high-flying Rams offense.

The Falcons accomplished that part of the mission. They possessed the ball for almost 29 of the game’s 48 minutes and limited the Rams to 164 yards, almost 200 below the average they brought into the game, but Fenwick couldn’t generate enough offense to capitalize.

“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” Fenwick coach Mark Mueller said. “They’re little things, but they add up.”

The Falcons got two second-quarter field goals from junior Devin Morris – the first a school-record 49-yard effort – but Badin senior wide receiverdefensive back Braedyn Moore scored ona30-yardrunoutoftheWildcatformation late in the third quarter and junior wide receiver-defensive back Carson Cheek scooped up a Fenwick fumble and returned it 42 yards for a score early in the fourth quarter as the Rams came from behind for a14-6 win.

Junior linebacker Nate Ostendorf and Moore helped clinch the win with late fourth-quarter interceptions as Badin (9-0, 4-0) clinched its fourth outright championship in five seasons. The Rams shared the 2019 title with Chaminade Julienne, the last team to the Rams in the regular season. Badin extended its regular season win streak to 27 games.

Christian – He scored the game-winning goal as time expired and added another score in the 3-2 win over Winton Woods last Tuesday. He scored two more in the 4-0 over Cincinnati United on Thursday.

Ohio girls big school soccer player of the week: Samantha Erbach, Waynesville – The junior forward had two goals and four assists to help the topranked Spartans stay undefeated.

Ohio girls small school soccer player of the week: Drew Kantz, Taylor - The senior captain scored a goal to secure the 2-0 win against Madeira in a Cincinnati Hills League win. She has five goals and six assists this year.

Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys soccer player of the week: Ryder Kennedy, Dixie Heights - He had a goal and an assist in the Colonels’ 34th District championship win over St. Henry, 4-1, improving Dixie to 15-2-3.

Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week: Maria Dilts, Dixie Heights – The junior was MVP of the 34th District Tournament in leading the Colonels to the championship and a record of 11-7-3.

Girls big school singles tennis player of the week: Jasmine Mu, Milford –She finished in third place in the Division I sectional tournament.

Girls small school singles tennis player of the week: Lucy Snyder, Cincinnati – The sophomore took fourth place in the Division II sectional tournament. Before the semifinals, she won three matches in straight sets. Girls doubles tennis players of the week: Lucy Glassmeyer & Ella Malafa, Mariemont – The top-seeded team beat their own teammates to secure the Division II sectional tournament in a three-set effort.

Ohio big school volleyball player of the week: Rachel Morgan, Milford –The freshman had a game-high 25 digs and led the team with 13 kills in Milford’s four-set win over Anderson.

Ohio small school volleyball player of the week: Allie Barrick, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy – The sophomore posted 23 kills in CHCA’s five-set win over Summit.

Northern Kentucky volleyball player of the week: Lauren Ott, Notre Dame – She had 26 assists and eight digs in the Pandas’ 3-1 win over Ryle Oct. 6.

“This is a huge win for us,” Moore said.

Badin coach Nick Yordy said that’s exactly the kind of game they expected from the Falcons. “Their defense is reallygood.They’llgoalongwayintheplayoffs,” he said. “We have a good defense, too.”

Badin (9-0, 4-0) went into the game ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Division III statewide poll and first in the Division III Region 12 computer ratings. Fenwick (6-3, 2-2) was ranked third in the Division IV Region 16 ratings.

Moore tied the score with 2:50 left in the third quarter with his burst around left end after taking a direct snap. “I hid behind a blocker and saw an opening down the sidelines,” he said. “I like the Wildcat formation. It’s really fun.”

The game ended with Badin trying to execute the take-a-knee victory formation, but that couldn’t keep a minor scuffle from breaking out.

“That was a hard, tough, typical GCL game,” Yordy said.