Reading's DeShawn Wynn had 3 TDs and 233 yards. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        Faced with a fourth-and-14 and less than three minutes remaining, junior running back DeShawn Wynn persuaded coach Ken Minor to call the hook-and-ladder.

        The play worked to perfection, with Wynn scoring a 35-yard touchdown to give Reading a 26-23 victory over Brookville at Centerville High for the school's first regional championship.

        “Two years ago, I saw Lebanon score on the hook-and-ladder in the state tournament and I thought this was the perfect time to use it,” Minor said. “We practiced it all week and were unsuccessful probably 75 percent of the time. I'm in a dream world right now.”

        Reading (11-2) advances to the Division V state semifinals. Game time and opponent will be released today by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Reading's Donald Engel pulls down Brookville's Sam Sampson. | ZOOM |

        Reading's possible opponents are Bedford Chanel, Liberty Center or Amanda-Clearcreek.

        The Blue Devils' winning play started with quarterback Zachary Maxfield throwing an 8-yard pass to Charles Vample. Vample flipped the ball to Wynn, who streaked down the sideline untouched.

        “We just started practicing that play in practice this week, and we always did something wrong. I was able to concentrate and bring down the pass, which was a little high,” Vample said. “I thought DeShawn was going to pass me, but I flipped the ball one-handed. Everything worked out exactly how we envisioned it.”

        Reading's defense sealed the outcome, stuffing Brookville's final drive. Eric Laitenslager had a second-down sack, and Donald Engel and Shannon Hammonds made a key fourth-down stop.

Reading's Eric Lautenslager struggles to stop Randy Hubley. | ZOOM |

        The two teams fought back and forth throughout the game with neither defense able to stop the other's offense. Reading scored on every possession but one while Brookville scored on all but two.

        “We knew it would be a one-possession type game,” Minor said.

        Wynn finished the game with 233 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns.

        Wynn scored on the Blue Devils' first possession. Reading marched 45 yards in 11 plays with Wynn scoring from the 1.

        On the ensuing kickoff, Brookville had a 90-yard kickoff return called back for an illegal block. Brookville was unfazed by the penalty and took a 7-6 lead after a grueling 17-play, 93-yard drive that ate 7:48 off the clock. Brookville kept the ball on the ground on every play of the drive and with 10:36 left in the half Sam Sampson scored from one yard out.

        The teams traded possessions before Reading took the lead back. Wynn set up Reading's second touchdown of the half with a 46-yard run that took the ball the Brookville's 14.. Three plays later Maxfield hit a wide-open Vample for a 12-yard TD with :52 seconds remaining.

        Brookville responded with a long kickoff return that took the ball to Reading's 48. Brookville ended the half with a Jeff Wright 30-yard field goal.

        Brookville ....... 0  10  6   7—23

        Reading ....... 6   6  0  14—26

        R-Wynn 1 run (kick failed)

        B-Sampson 1 run (Wright kick)

        R-Vample 12 pass from Maxfield (pass failed)

        B-Wright 30 field goal

        B-Sampson 5 run (run failed)

        R-Wynn 3 run (Conner kick)

        B-Sampson 11 run (Wright kick)

        R-Vample pass from Maxfield flip to Wynn 35 yards (Conner kick)

        Records: R 11-2, B 11-2.

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