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Tri-Village senior Gavin Richards, throws Gilbert Mallory to the ground
during second quarter action against
Gamble Montessori Friday night.
The Patriots fell to the Gators, 34-28. CNO Photos by George Starks
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Patriots fall
in close loss to Gamble Montessori
By George Starks
NEW MADISON- Despite a 2-4 record in six games, Tri-Village has proven
one thing to themselves, the coaches and the fans.
They can compete!
After falling 41-40 a week ago to Covenant Christian, a team that was
undefeated, Tri-Village came into Friday’s game with the Gamble
Montessori Gators looking to get back on the winning track on Clayton
Murphy night.
It was a gallant effort by the Patriots but in the end, the Pats
suffered a close 34-28 loss to the now 4-2 Cincinnati team.
On a night when the Patriots were in the game until late, the loss was
heart wrenching for T-V coach Jason Schondelmyer.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said the Patriots coach. “Tough losses two
weeks in a row and we were right there and we just can’t get it done. I
think it’s more about us than it is about our opponents. I think we’re
self-inflicting at times and that has hurt us.”
It all boiled down to the waning minutes of the game.
After senior Jerod Buckley took it to the house on a 53 yard run with
4:25 left in the game, it was the Patriots that was in the drivers seat
with 4:21 remaining, trailing 34-22.
With the Gators going three and out on their next possession,
Tri-Village took control with just under three minutes left in the game.
At the 1:25 mark, Wilson ran the ball in from a yard out and TV was
within striking distance at 34-28.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots executed a successful on sides
kick, recovering at the 50 yard line.
Driving to the Gators 35, the drive stalled, resulting in a loss on
downs and giving the ball to Montessori.
On a night when the speedy Gators wore down a tough Patriot defense, it
was obvious as time ticked away, that Tri-Village was wearing down
quickly.
“They have a lot of speed over there,” said Schondelmyer. “Speed kills
and they had the speed. We were getting tired and because of that, we
were tackling high and we weren’t able to get it done
After the Gators took the early 8-0 lead on a pick six of Johnny Wilson
by senior Donnie Gresham at the 9:19 mark of the opening quarter, the
Patriots fired right back. When you’re dealing with a football field
that’s 100 yards long and 53 yards wide, it’s a completely different
animal out here. There’s a lot of room and your players have to be in
perfect position all the time or they’ll get you with a step.”
Coming so close in two straight games only to lose, Shondo told his
kids one big thing.
“We’re better than this and we are,” said Schondelmyer. “We’re missing
a lot out there. We’re missing a senior leadership that we need calling
out in certain situations. Things like this will come with time and
we’re asking our kids to hurry up fast and figure it out fast and we
just have a ways to go on that.”
After the Gators too the early 8-0 lead on a pick six of Wilson at the
9:19 mark of the opening quarter, the Patriots struck back just moments
later on a 15 yard run by Wilson with 6:26 left in the frame.
With things knotted at 8-8 after 12 minutes of play, the Patriots took
a 14-8 lead with 7:42 left in the opening half on a nine yard run from
Buckley.
The Gators would strike twice again before the half and hold a 22-14
lead at the break.
It would be a lead they would never relinquish.
Buckley would run the ball 22 time for 204 yards but the Gators would
manage to keep the big senior in check when needed.
“They kept them in check when they needed to.” admitted Shondo. “They
did a nice job on defense and they were prepared for them. Hats off to
them.”
The Patriots will celebrate their first fall homecoming next week
against Dohn Community Schools of Cincinnati.
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Sophomore
Austin Bruner runs for solid field position in the first quarter
against the Gators.
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