Led by senior running back Seth Borondy, who scored four first-half touchdowns and became the second player in Bellbrook history to surpass 2,000-yards rushing in a season, the No. 3 seeded Eagles beat No. 14 Trotwood-Madison 50-20 in a first round Division III, Region 12 playoff game at Miami Valley South Stadium.
Bellbrook (9-2) will host No. 6 seed Wapakoneta, a 30-0 winner over Dunbar, in the regional quarterfinals next Friday. Trotwood finishes 4-6.
The 50 points is the most Trotwood’s allowed since a 56-14 loss to Vandalia Butler on Oct. 15, 2001. Since 2010, the Rams have won nine regional and three state titles.
“We challenge our guys to be at their absolute best, and in the playoffs that’s what you have to do,” Jenkins said. “You have to be at your best. We left some things on the table special teams-wise that we have to get corrected, but offensively and defensively I can’t say how proud I am. We seem to be getting better every week. These kids fear no one…they fear no one.”
That was evident from the Eagles first offensive play, which Borondy took 97 yards for a touchdown. He added scoring runs of 43, 11 and 2 yards as the Eagles built a 36-6 halftime lead.
Junior Eldon Korber’s 43-yard punt return for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter gave Bellbrook a 43-6 lead. Korber added an interception, which was one of three first quarter turnovers by the Rams.
Borondy unofficially finished with 234 yards rushing on the night, giving him 2,081 for the season. The program record 2,344 was set by Luke Clemens in 1999.
“Come out and fire off low,” Borondy said. “We noticed that their defensive line played high, so we knew if we fired off low and got into them we could go at them.”
Bellbrook amassed 324 yards of total offense. Trotwood managed 295.
“Fairmont,” Trotwood head coach Jeff Graham said. “They play like Fairmont. Big, physical, pound the ball. They’re going to do what they’re going to do. They run good. They executed well.”
Last year Bellbrook exorcised a postseason demon with a 58-0 first round win over Chaminade Julienne. CJ had beaten an undefeated Bellbrook team, led by Clemens, 21-14 in the 1999 regional semifinals. Jenkins was a member of that squad.
In 2014, Trotwood beat Bellbrook 41-6 in a D-III, Region 10 quarterfinal in 2014 at West Carrollton.
“We wanted to play our brand of football,” Jenkins said. “Smashmouth. It worked out well for us.”
Sophomore quarterback Timothy Carpenter ran for two touchdowns for the Rams, who also got a late touchdown run from Michael Smith.
Bellbrook improves to 35-6 over the last four years. The Eagles have never won a regional title, but have played for two (1991 and 2001).
Said Jenkins: “We’re clicking at the right time.”
About the Author