Northmont quarterback Brady Lupton races 20 yards for a first and goal at the Beavercreek four yard line late in the first quarter.
Photos Ron Nunnari | The Register-Herald
BEAVERCREEK — The Thunderbolts defense forced a fumble late in the game as Beavercreek was driving for the go-ahead score Friday to preserve a 21-15 win for Northmont.
On fourth down and seven with 1:10 left in the game the Beavers picked up the first down but fumbled and Northmont pounced on the loose ball, and from there ran out the clock.
Northmont fumbled on its first possession of the game after a Beavers’ punt pinned the T’bolts deep in their own territory at the eight yard line.
The Thunderbolts defense kept Beavercreek out of the end zone. The Beavers settled for a 22 yard field goal by Connor Macek to take a 3-0 lead.
Northmont responded with an 80 yard drive to take the lead. On third down and six at the Beavers’ 24, Northmont quarterback Brady Lupton kept the ball and zig-zagged through several defenders along the right flat to give the Thunderbolts a first and goal at the four yard line.
Two more running plays set up a third and goal at the one as the first quarter came to an end. Calilien Grant (20 carries, 128 yards, two touchdowns) pounded the ball into the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. Colby Barr’s kick put Northmont on top 7-3.
Beavercreek pulled to within one, 7-6, on a 31 yard Macek field goal with 8:00 left in the first half.
A 42 yard kickoff return from the goal line by Chris Pryor gave Northmont excellent field position. On fourth down and 10 at the Beavers’ 45 Lupton hit Santana Keys with a pass for a first down and a personal foul penalty moved the ball to the 14.
From there Lupton ran the ball in for a touchdown. Barr’s kick put Northmont up 14-6 with 3:03 left in the half.
Macek nailed his third field goal of the night from 32 yards out with 22 seconds left in the first half to make it 14-9 at halftime.
Northmont took the second half kickoff and was marching down the field, but Beavercreek defensive back Kelvin Keys Jr. stepped in front of an open Northmont receiver to make an interception.
Beavercreek took over at its 30 and mounted a 70 yard, 13 play drive capped by a two yard run by Zane Piatt (22 carries, 126 yards, one touchdown) for the TD with 29 seconds left in the third quarter. A two-point conversion failed but the Beavers held a 15-14 advantage.
Keys intercepted another pass but the Beavers fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. The Thunderbolts recovered the ball at their 28.
Northmont mounted a 72 yard drive and took a 21-15 lead on a three yard run by Grant that was set up by a 29 yard pass from Lupton to Danial Ivory.
Beavercreek mounted a last ditch drive, picked up a first down on fourth and seven but fumbled and the Thunderbolts recovered with 1:10 left to preserve the victory.
Northmont improved to 1-0 in conference play and 2-2 overall. Beavercreek fell to 0-1 in Greater Western Ohio Conference play and 2-2 overall.
Reach Ron Nunnari at (937) 684-9124 or email [email protected].
