2009 Rewind: Anderson Redskins

The Anderson Redskins (12-1) proved they were more than up to the task of making the jump to Division I in 2009. This squad used a smash-mouth running attack and an opportunistic defense to prove they belonged with the big boys. They took a perfect record into the regional finals before they finally succumbed to Elder.

Head coach Jeff Giesting saw his senior class go a combined 37-6 at the varsity level over the past three seasons. They were Division II state champions in '07 and runner-up in '08. It was quite a ride for one of the most successful group of Redskins in the history of the program.

Let's take a game-by-game look at Anderson's 2009 campaign:

GAME #1 - ANDERSON 41, TAFT 6

The defense forced seven Taft turnovers. Kevin Cripe had two of the Redskins' five interceptions. The offense took advantage of the short fields the miscues created. Jake Nelson scored three touchdowns and ran for 152 yards. Justin Racer ran for 98 more Tanner Brondhaver chipped in with another 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

GAME #2 - ANDERSON 44, WOODWARD 0

For the second straight week the Redskins defeat a CMAC team handily as they made easy work of Woodward. Everyone got in on the act. Five different players scored touchdowns. The offense ran the ball for 416 yards on 50 carries. Seven players had at least 10 yards rushing. The defense came up big again as eight different players come up with interceptions.

GAME #3 - ANDERSON 63, BOONE COUNTY 14

In a game that featured two 2,000-yard rushers from a year ago, Anderson's Kyle Slater and Boone County's Charles Quainoo. However, it was Redskins' quarterback Brandon Borhauser who stole the show. The senior ran for four first-half touchdowns and tallied 207 yards rushing on 10 carries on the night. Anderson outscored their first three opponents 148-20 while creating 18 turnovers.

GAME #4 - ANDERSON 28, COLUMBUS DeSALES 25

Anderson built a 28-10 halftime lead, but found the Stallions to be a tough team to close out on the road. The Redskins held on despite two DeSales' second-half touchdown runs. The victory marked the second time that the Redskins had beaten the Stallions in the last six games. The game was costly for Anderson though as lineman and Ohio State recruit Andrew Norwell was lost for the season when he broke his tibia just above his ankle.

GAME #5 - ANDERSON 57, AMELIA 6

It was a night in which the Redskins made quick work of their foe as they posted a 43-0 lead over Amelia by halftime. Bornhauser completed his only two passes for touchdowns and he ran for two more. Slater found the end zone three times via the ground. Anderson had six touchdowns of 27 or more yards. It marked the 30th varsity win for the senior class.

GAME #6 - ANDERSON 52, WINTON WOODS 38

The FOX19 Friday Prep Rally made its way to Anderson for Homecoming Night. It was the game everyone in the FAVC had circled on their calendars since the day the schedule came out and it did not disappoint. It was an instant classic in a contest that saw six lead changes and four ties. Anderson scored 21 unanswered points on three Slater touchdown runs in the game's last 10 minutes to catch and beat Winton Woods. The contest saw the two schools combine for 90 points and 856 yards of total offense. Slater ran for 226 yards and five scores. Warriors' fullback Jeremiah Goins tallied 245 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.

GAME #7 - ANDERSON 55, LOVELAND 14

Loveland looked like they were going to shock the world when they took a 14-13 lead with a minute and a half left before intermission. Anderson responded 45 seconds later on a 34-yard run by Bornhauser. That would be the first of 42 unanswered points on six touchdowns for the Redskins to put this one away. The Tigers could not stop the Anderson ground game that racked up 415 yards and seven touchdowns on 57 totes.

GAME #8 - ANDERSON 44, GLEN ESTE 11

Anderson scored 37 consecutive points to break open a 7-3 game early in the second quarter. The Redskins used a balance offensive attack which saw five different players score touchdowns. Racer had a scores both running and receiving. Kevin Becker had three catches for 90 yards and a score. It was the only game all season that the Redskins did not have a 100-yard rusher as Slater finished with 99.

GAME #9 - ANDERSON 63, MILFORD 21

The scoreboard lit up like a Christmas tree on Friday night as Anderson scored nine rushing touchdowns on their way to a 42-point win over Milford. Bornhauser stole the show with six touchdowns and 248 of the Redskins 526 yards on the ground. Nelson tied his season high with 152 yards rushing. There were 94 points, 902 yards of total offense and not one turnover in this contest.

GAME #10 - ANDERSON 53, HARRISON 37

Anderson put up 33 first half points on their way to victory as they locked up the FAVC Buckeye title. It was a coming out party for Harrison sophomore quarterback Marcus Woelfel who torched the Anderson secondary for 249 yards passing and three touchdowns over the games last 27 minutes. The Wildcats saw the mighty Anderson rushing attack steam roll them for 453 yards six touchdowns. Bornhauser ran for 215 yards and three scores. Nelson rushed for 114 and a score and Slater put up another 108 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries.

GAME #11 - ANDERSON 24, LAKOTA WEST 21

Kicker Tommy Chapman picked a great time to hit his only field goal of the post-season. The junior nailed a career-long 43-yarder with 2:39 left on the clock to lift the Redskins into the second round of the playoffs. The team ran for 318 yards, 261 by Slater. The Redskins went eight for 14 on third and fourth-down conversions which would help seal the fate of Lakota West.

GAME #12 - ANDERSON 41, MIDDLETOWN 20

The outcome of this one was quite a shocker considering that Middletown had held eight of its opponents to 10 points or less. The Middies took a 20-19 lead midway through the third quarter on a Jerry Gates 60-yard punt return. Then almost like clockwork Anderson went on one of their patented scoring surges scoring 22 straight points in the games last 13 minutes to close out the victory. Slater ran for 256 yards and four scores. Anderson advanced to the Division I Regional finals.

GAME #13 - ELDER 28, ANDERSON 21

Elder built a 21-0 lead 16 minutes into the game and would be too much for the Redskins to overcome. The injury bug bit Anderson again as Slater separated his shoulder in the second quarter. Bornhauser did all he could to pick up the slack gaining 198 yards and rushing for two second-half scores. In the end it would be four turnovers, including three interceptions that would do them in. The great run for Anderson would finally come to and end.

MILESTONES AND MORE:

--The Anderson offense was unbelievable. The team scored 586 points (including 500 in the 10 game regular season) while finding the end zone an astounding 82 times. The Redskins rushed for 4,729 yards and had 70 rushing touchdowns in 13 contests.

--Kyle Slater ran for 1, 760 yards and 26 touchdowns on his way to earning Second-Team All-State honors. In two seasons as the Redskins' featured back he rushed for 3, 980 yards, accumulated 5,106 all-purpose yards and scored 61 total touchdowns.

--Kevin Cripe intercepted six passes on the year earning him Special Mention All-District honors. The senior picked off 15 balls in his career.

--Brandon Bornhauser threw for 954 yards and eight touchdowns. The most impressive thing about the quarterback was his ability to run. The senior rushed for 1,581 yards and 28 touchdowns on his way to Special Mention All-District honors.

--Greg Mancz anchored the offensive line and his performance earned him a spot as a member of the All-District Second-Team. Teammate's Tony Martini and Kevin Becker took home Special Mention All-District honors.

**The Anderson Redskins have been nominated as one of six finalists for QueenCityHigh.com's Ohio Team of the Year. The award will be handed at our Ohio Year In Review show at Buca di Beppo at Rookwood Commons in Norwood on Thursday, January 12th, 2010. The event is open to the public, but you must RSVP by e-mail at staff@tristatefootball.com. Cost for admission is $15 per person and includes family-style Italian buffet. Please stay tuned to our message board - THE 275 LOOP for further details**