BY JOHN SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Chris Sinclair scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge as Hamilton Badin held off Edgewood 17-10 in double overtime at Fairfield High School in a Division III regional championship game.
Edgewood had an opportunity to tie, but defensive end Andrew Brown stuffed Edgewood's David White on a fourth and one from the 11-yard line to preserve the victory.
"I saw their two lead blockers run by me, then White ran right into me," Brown said. "I stood him up and waited for my teammates to help finish the tackle."
Badin advances to the state semifinals for the first time since 1995. It faces Columbus DeSales next weekend. DeSales beat Napolean 49-0 Saturday.
White finished with 125 yards on 21 carries as Edgewood outgained Badin in total offense 251-238.
Double overtime was not without controversy. On Badin's scoring drive, running back Chris Cox fumbled on the two-yard line but was ruled down by the officials. After the game, Edgewood coach Steve Channell confronted the officials about the final spot and lack of a measurement.
"The officiating was very questionable. I talked to Terry (Malone) after the game, and he said it looked like White had the first down," Channell said, referring to the fourth-and-one play that ended Edgewood's hopes.
Badin had two chances to win the game at the end of regulation and in the first overtime. Kicker Matt Schermer missed two field goals from 44 and 34 yards that would have given the Rams the win. Big plays defined the second half. Edgewood took a 7-3 lead with 6:06 left in the third quarter when White took a screen pass from Todd Bridge. White broke two tackles and outran Badin's secondary to score on a 64-yard play.
Badin answered on the ensuing drive. The Rams drove 72 yards in 11 plays capped by a Sinclair one-yard run with 29 seconds left in the quarter.
Edgewood tied the game on the next drive with a Josh Robertson 27-yard field goal with 6:41 remaining in regulation.
The only score of the first half came after Hamilton Badin marched 39 yards on 14 plays and took 7:20 off the clock. Schermer capped the drive with a 32-yard field goal with 6:58 left in the half.
Defense was the standard in the half. On the first play from scrimmage, Edgewood's James Smith picked off a Justin Haire pass at the Badin 26-yard line. The Cougars were unable to score after Badin's Jeff Lagedrost sacked Bridge to move Edgewood out of field goal range. The next four possessions ended in punts, two for Edgewood and two for Badin. The only significant drive of the half was Badin's scoring drive.
Edgewood couldn't find much running room in the half and tallied only 25 rushing yards and 36 total yards. The Cougars managed just three first downs and didn't get their first until the 2:46 mark in the second quarter.
Edgewood 0 0 7 3 0 - 10
Badin 3 7 0 0 7 - 17
Bad-Schermer 32 field goal.
E-White 64 pass from Bridge (Robertson kick)
B-Sinclair 1 run (Schermer kick)
E-Robertson 27 field goal
B-Sinclair 1 run (Schermer kick)
