MERCERVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) - The Trimble Tomcats traveled to South Gallia in the first round of the Division VII Region 27 playoffs and won 28-22 in a stunning upset.
South Gallia would receive the ball first and fumble early in the opening drive but would retain the ball after senior QB Hunter Wright was ruled down. Shortly after, however, the Rebels fumbled again, this time being recovered by Trimble's Hunter Bycofski.
The Tomcats would not capitalize on this field position, turning the ball over on downs. South Gallia would begin their ensuing drive with a first down, the offense seeming to be back in a rhythm. Setting up for a deep pass, Wright aired one downfield, but Trimble senior Luke Orsborne would come down with it, swinging the momentum right back to the Tomcats.
Trimble would soon capitalize, as senior QB Paul Sharp would find a wide-open Aiden Dixon for the long touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion would be good, putting the Tomcats up early on the road, 8-0.
The Rebels would hardly be phased by this setback, though, as the previously high-powered offense found its groove. Off the backs of multiple long runs by Wright, South Gallia found themselves in the red zone, with Layne Wright finishing off the drive himself with a touchdown to tie things up, 8-8.
After this score, it seemed like both offenses were in rhythm. Sharp ripped off multiple long runs to set up his team in the red zone before handing it off to Luke Orsborne for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion was no good, putting Trimble up only 14-8 at the top of the second quarter.
But even after Trimble drove down the field, the Rebel offense did not miss a beat. Wright opened the drive with a long run to immediately set up South Gallia in the red zone. Wright would follow this run up with a keep to the outside, and after a successful two-point conversion, the Rebels would find their first lead of the night, 16-14.
The offense would slow down for the rest of the half, with multiple defensive stops. With about a minute left in the half, Trimble would find themselves deep in South Gallia territory, before being stopped on fourth down after Sharp's pass fell incomplete. The Rebels attempted to drive down the field and score before the half, but would come up short, heading into the half with a tight lead, 16-14.
Trimble would receive the ball to open the half where the offense came to life. After a large gain on the reception by junior Cade Burba, Sharp would cap off the drive with a short touchdown pass to Trevor Gowen, putting the Tomcats up 22-16.
South Gallia would respond with a touchdown of its own, once again by Wright. The Trimble defense would hold strong on the ensuing 2-point conversion however, keeping the game tied at 22-22.
As the fourth quarter opened, this game appeared to be headed for a stunning finish. Trimble would get things rolling after a long run by Luke Orsborne set the Tomcats up on the goal line. Sharp would finish it off with a sneak for the touchdown, putting Trimble up 28-22 after the failed two-point conversion.
The defenses would continue to stand strong for the remainder of the fourth quarter, but the Rebels would have one final drive with a chance to take the lead. On fourth down, Trimble senior Marcus Cable slammed the door shut with the game-winning sack on South Gallia QB Eli Sizemore.
With a couple of runs by Luke Orsborne and a final knee by Sharp to burn the clock, the Tomcats would complete the upset win on the road, 28-22.