Tiger senior running back Trevor Gajus gets airborne on a run from scrimmage
Loveland 32-14 over unbeaten Turpin
With help from a block by linebacker Eric Popp, Cameron Beck returns one of his four interceptions, returning one for a 28-yard score against Turpin
Offensive linemen #72 Jake Ferrell and #59 Braden Watts open a hole in the Turpin defense for running back #37 Luke Waddell who rushed for 144 with a 84-yarder that led to a Loveland score. Waddell scored on 67 and 29-yard passes
Turpin High School – Punter, Riley Boucher pinning your opponent on the 2-yard line early in the 1st quarter is always sweet, but especially tasty so early in a game facing the un-deafeted conference leader. It was followed by an end-zone tackle by Eric Popp giving the Tigers a safety and a 2-0 lead. Turpin was pinned to that wall all night and gave up sole possession of 1st place in the ECC to share the top spot after a Kings’ 45-14 win over Glen Este.
Tiger quarterback Drew Plitt on a quarterback keeper
Loveland head coach, Fred Cranford said, “When I talk about a team win, this is one of the bigger ones since I’ve been here.”
Loveland didn’t go into the game to be a spoiler. It was to prove to themselves and doubters that they were indeed better than their .500 record indicated. With earlier loses to Lakota East by one-point, and an over-time loss at Glen Este, Loveland was not racking up enough ranking points to control their own destiny for a shot at post-season play. So, beating Turpin was a must, both for pride and post-season chances.
After the computer ranking were released this week Loveland is now mathematically eliminated from post-season play, and face cross-township rival Milford Friday on Senior Night at Tiger Stadium. They will play again for pride – and revenge, and to take possession of the Crosstownship Victory Bell after a bitter loss to Milford that ended the 1014 season that knocked the Tigers out of post-season play last year. A 21-yard Milford touchdown with 2 seconds left ended the 2014 Tiger season.
Loveland, now 4-2,5-4, is in 4th place behind Glen Este. Milford is now 2-4, 4-5 after last Friday’s 34-13 defeat of Walnut Hills and in 5th place.
Cranford in a Saturday morning interview with Loveland Magazine* praised his defense and special team play. Riley Boucher scored a 34-yard field goal and added 3 extra-points. Cameron Beck had 4 interceptions, returning one for a 28-yard score. Colten Lakes provided 6 solo tackles and 4 assists. Eric Popp had 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, and a sack. Micheal Newbold blocked a punt. “Playing within the rules as violently as we could for 48 minutes,” is Cranford’s take. Speaking about the Beck interception, Cranford said, “The final score doesn’t reflect that fight we were battling in the middle of the fourth quarter, when Beck broke it wide open”
Loveland dominated Turpin with 358 total yards to Turpin’s 93. Loveland haled the ball for 33:38 minutes vs. 14:22 for Turpin. Loveland gained 13 first-downs and Turpin had 2. Cranford said one of the keys was the the Loveland defense that prevented Turpin from gaining a third down all night in 12 tries.
Tiger senior defensive lineman Michael Newbold stops the Turpin ball carrier for a loss
Loveland running star, Luke Waddell rushed for 144 with a 84-yarder that led to a Loveland score. Waddell scored on a 67 and 29-yard passes from Drew Plitt. Waddell now has 1566 rushing and 689 passing yards his Junior season.
Loveland quarterback Drew Plitt was 8 for 21 for 156 yards. He threw 2 touchdowns, was intercepted twice, and scored a touchdown.
Also watch the Cranford interview from Saturday morning:
Loveland didn’t go into the game to be a spoiler. It was to prove to themselves and doubters that they were indeed better than their .500 record indicated. With earlier loses to Lakota East by one-point, and an over-time loss at Glen Este, Loveland was not racking up enough ranking points to control their own destiny for a shot at post-season play. So, beating Turpin was a must, both for pride and post-season chances.
