Genoa slows down O-G for regional title

BOWLING GREEN - After Ottawa-Glandorf started the season 0-2 and lost standout running back Logan Kaufman to a season-ending injury, a trip to the Division IV regional finals was certainly not on the minds of many of the O-G faithful.

In Friday's Division IV regional final at Bowling Green State University's Doyt Perry Stadium, Genoa ended O-G's stellar postseason run, defeating the Titans, 40-21.

Genoa (13-0) used a good mixture of the run and pass to keep the O-G defense offbalance.

Genoa rolled up 439 yards of total offense, compared to O-G's 303 yards of offensive production.

The Titans (8-5) did not record an offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter. Senior running back Jacob Lugo - who finished with 14 rushes for 87 yards - scored from three yards out with 8:00 left to play, cutting the Genoa lead to 34-14.

Genoa coach Mike Vicars said his gameplan was to keep O-G guessing on the defensive side of the football.

"We knew we were playing a tough football team," Vicars said. "When you get to this level, you just have to scrap the junior high playbook. We had to keep them offbalanced."

Genoa quarterback Matt Bassitt completed 9-of-12 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Blair Skilliter led the Comets with 126 yards rushing and two TDs. The first TD run by Skilliter covered 78 yards. That run by Skilliter put the Comets up 34-7, late in the third quarter.

Quarterback Taylor Kuhlman led O-G on the ground, rushing for 101 yards on 13 carries. He completed 1-of-5 passes for eight yards.

O-G backup quarterback Nathan Kahle came in late in the game to complete 6-of-13 for 82 yards and a TD. Kahle, a sophomore, connected with Jacob Moening with 42 seconds left to play for a touchdown.

O-G's defense scored the other touchdown. Defensive back Zach Buckland picked off a pass from Bassitt and returned it 68 yards for the score, knotting the game at 7, midway through the second quarter.

O-G coach Ken Schriner said turnovers played an important role in his team's loss. Kuhlman was intercepted twice in the first half.

"Right off the bat, we had a turnover," Schriner said. "You can't turn the football over against a good team like this. And give (Genoa) credit ... they did a nice job of slowing down our run."

Schriner pointed out that Genoa's defense did a good job of containing his running game.

"There's a lot of green in between the 20s (20-yard lines)," Schriner said. "We're a tailback (type of) offense. Jacob (Lugo) did a good job of cracking some seams, but we could not get it to the end zone. Give their defense credit."