Carlisle clinches share of SWBL Buckeye title with OT win

Duct tape. Pine tar. Bear traps. Ridge Reed.

What are things that have a vice-like grip?

Friday night, Reed carried Carlisle High School’s football team to a Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division title. He did it, however, unlike he has in the past. Defensively.

The host Indians, who started the season 0-2, ran their win streak to six and handled visiting divisional heavyweight Milton-Union 34-28 in overtime in a crucial league game at Laughlin Field.

Carlisle improves to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the Buckeye Division. The Indians are assured at least a share of their third SWBL championship in five years.

Milton-Union was at the door.

But Reed closed it.

Facing a fourth-and-1 from the 11-yard line in OT, Milton ball carrier Krue Thwaits was dropped for a 2-yard loss by Reed and Spencer Mays. Ballgame.

“You usually talk about him on offense, but we know Ridge is the same type of player on defense,” Carlisle coach Mike Brown said. “Try to find a better two-way player in the state and you’re going to have a hard time.”

Said Reed: “I didn’t know if it was going to come to my side, but if it did, I knew I’d be ready.”

The Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) have two league dates left (home games against Dixie and Waynesville), but have to hope for a Carlisle hiccup.

Unlikely, especially with Reed running the ball.

Heading into Friday, Reed had 505 career carries. He had three career fumbles. Three. Reed’s streak of 17 straight games without a lost fumble came to and end in the fourth quarter. No worries.

Reed, who has an offer from Urbana University, holds school records for rushing yards in a game (394), all-purpose yards in a game (417), rushing TDs in a game (six), yards rushing in a season (1,825 as a junior) and rushing yards in a career (4,000-plus). He added to his legacy immediately against Milton.

Following an interception in the end zone to thwart Milton’s first drive, Reed went 71 yards on the Indians’ first snap. On the next play, Mays scored from 9 yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Milton responded with a 14-yard touchdown run by Blake Smith, but the ensuing two-point run failed. Carlisle took a 14-6 lead into the half thanks to a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jake Moore to Caleb Boy.

Three first-half interceptions stalled Milton.

In the second half, Smith scored on an 11-yard run to tie the game but on the second play on the ensuing possession, Moore hit Zayne Hart for a 64-yard touchdown pass. It was Hart’s first catch of the season.

Milton tied it again on Smith’s third touchdown run, this time from 16 yards out.

Reed responded with his lone touchdown run (19 yards) to give the hosts a 28-21 lead with 2:11 left. Milton drove the length of the field — the big play a 36-yard pass from Zach Vagedes to Smith — and scored on Vagedes’ 1-yard run with 55 seconds remaining.

In overtime, the Indians scored on a 1-yard run by Moore. The extra point was wide left. Didn’t matter.

“The kids kept fighting and gave it their all,” Milton coach Mark Lane said. “Thought we had them defended pretty well, but they some athletes that made big plays.”

Said Brown: “What a way to win a share of the league title.”

Carlisle will travel to Eaton next Friday before closing the regular season at Dixie in Week 10.

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