Lane Ratliff threw the game-winning touchdown pass and a stout defense helped New Lexington defeat West Holmes 36-30 on Friday night.
The victory in the Division IV, Region 15 semifinal at Jim Rockwell Stadium sends the second-seeded Panthers into a regional final rematch against top-seeded Indian Valley, according to Yahoo Sports.
New Lexington coach Kevin Board praised his players for their mental toughness throughout the intense contest.
“Resiliency and perseverance. This group has been in this game for three straight years and knew what to expect,” the coach stated.
The Knights struggled to capitalize on key opportunities, as the team saw four drives end on downs within New Lexington territory.
West Holmes coach Keaton Leppla noted that the inability to execute in critical moments served as the deciding factor in the game.
“We didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” Leppla said after the game concluded.
The game remained competitive throughout, with the score tied at 14 at halftime before the Knights took a narrow lead in the third quarter.
Ratliff eventually reclaimed the lead for the Panthers in the fourth quarter with a short touchdown run.
Following a field goal by West Holmes, Ratliff found Tyson Spicer for a 41-yard touchdown pass to put the Panthers ahead for good.
The New Lexington defense successfully forced a stop on the final West Holmes possession to secure the win.
Board highlighted the contributions of his offensive line, which provided the necessary protection for the late-game surge.
The Panthers now prepare for their next postseason challenge, while West Holmes looks toward the future after a successful season, as reported by the Zanesville Times Recorder.
The regional final site for the upcoming New Lexington and Indian Valley matchup is expected to be announced on Nov. 15.