Tommy Hartings accounted for four touchdowns Friday, Oct. 16, as Olentangy held off Dublin Jerome 27-21 at Olentangy High School in a Week 9 game with playoff implications for the Braves.
The senior quarterback and the Braves' offense exploded early, building a 21-7 lead after the first quarter. Neither team scored in the second quarter. Hartings then hit Robert Page on an 8-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth to extend the lead, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
The Celtics added a late score to make it 27-21 but could not complete the comeback. As we previewed Friday, the Braves needed a win to strengthen its playoff chances.
Orange erases eight-point deficit
Olentangy Orange trailed Hilliard Bradley 21-13 entering the fourth quarter on the road Oct. 16. The Pioneers then outscored the Jaguars 24-7 in the final period to pull away, according to Delaware Source.
Delaware Source reported the final score as 37-28. The Olentangy Orange football schedule lists the result as 35-28. The discrepancy could not be resolved from available sources.
Orange improved to 5-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The defending Division I state champions kept their playoff hopes alive heading into the regular-season finale.
Liberty falls in defensive grind
Hilliard Davidson ground out a 12-6 victory over Olentangy Liberty on Oct. 16 in a low-scoring battle, according to Delaware Source.
Davidson led 6-3 after the first quarter and 9-3 at halftime. Neither team scored in the third. Both squads found the end zone in the fourth, but the Wildcats held on for the six-point win.
The loss dropped Liberty to 5-4 overall. The Patriots had won three straight conference games before the setback and sit at 3-1 in OCC play.
Week 10 on deck
The regular season wraps up Friday, Oct. 23, with two area matchups carrying major playoff weight. Orange hosts Liberty at 7 p.m. in a game that could determine postseason positioning for both 5-4 squads. Olentangy travels to Olentangy Berlin for the Braves' finale.
