MVL perfection and a Championship!
The game of the year lived up to the hype. Tippecanoe opened up a tie game with 14 points in the fourth period to secure a Miami Valley League championship with a 35-21 victory over Xenia to finish the regular season 10-0 for the first time in 11 years.
“These kids worked their tails off for this, and a ten-game season is a long season,” Tippecanoe coach Matt Burgbacher said. “The growth we have seen in these kids is great to see. I am so proud of them, and I told them before they came out onto the field tonight that no matter what, I still love them.”
With the win, Tipp claims the undisputed MVL crown and heads into the playoffs this Friday night hosting a first round game at Tipp City’s City Park with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
After Tipp’s drive stalled in their own territory, Xenia went to work with the football.
The Buccs drove inside of Tipp territory, converted a fourth-down play, and later scored on a 2 yard run by Deaunte White, with 4:45 to go in the first period, to take the 7–0 lead.
But just that quickly, the Red Devils went to work on their own drive. Keeping the ball on the ground for most of the drive, Tipp moved the ball down to the 39 yard line before Larkin Thomas hit Will Strong with a big pass down to the 8 yard line.
Xavier Melton then went to work with three consecutive runs, capping it with a 1 yard touchdown run with 1:13 to go in the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7.
After both teams were forced to punt, the Tipp defense came up big in the final minutes of the first half. Tipp recovered a fumble at the Xenia 18 yard line and three plays later Thomas scored on a 10 yard keeper with 1:38 to go in the half giving the Red Devils a 14–7 lead at the intermission.
“Our defense is bend, don’t break, and we were bending,” Burgbacher said. “We wanted to force their offense to take another snap, and we did that and our kids made a play.”
Xenia came out on their opening drive of the second half with a two-yard touchdown run as they moved right down the field to tie the game at 14.
Late in the third period, Thomas connected with Dylan Herndon on a 38-yard scoring strike with 5:56 left in the third period to quickly give Tipp the lead 21-14.
Following another score from Xenia, the Red Devils controlled the remainder of the game. With 10:23 left in the fourth, Melton broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run giving Tipp the lead right back, then the Red Devils defense came up big.
With Xenia on the doorstep, Tipp held the Buccs forcing the ball back to Tipp on downs, which set up the insurance score when Melton sprinted nearly 70 yards down inside the five then Jackson Davis finished off the scoring with a short touchdown to secure the win for Tipp.
“Xavier is a phenomenal kid, and good things happen to good kids and he is a great person,” Burgbacher said. “He will be the first to tell you it’s the offensive line. He’s a great running back and these kids played their hearts out.”
The offense made some big plays, their defense was as good as usual taking over down the stretch with big plays and the Red Devils now focus on the second season.
