Slater Carries Anderson
The Anderson Redskins have been to the state championship game each of the past two years and despite moving up to Division I, they appear poised for another title run.
Bombers driving and in red zone after a There have been some that questioned whether the Redskins belonged at this level and through two weeks of the playoffs the team has silenced its critics.
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Anderson (12-0) ran for 399 yards, including 256 yard on 36 carries from running back Kyle Slater, to roll past the Middletown Middies, 41-20.
The Redskins drove 74 yards on 11 plays on their opening drive and took a 6-0 lead when Slater scored on a 10-yard run. It would provide a good sampling of what was to come.
Middletown (10-2) responded with 10-play, 70-yard drive of their own and took a one-point lead when senior Jerry Gates scored on a 2-yard draw to make 7-6.
Slater struck again midway through the second quarter when he rushed for a 2-yard touchdown. The Redskins failed to convert the two-point conversion for the second straight time, but took a 12-7 lead.
The Middies regained the lead when Caleb Watkins connected with Zach Edwards on a 14-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive.
Anderson didn't need more than the two minutes left on the clock though as they marched 76 yards on 12 plays in 2:30 to get a touchdown. This time it was quarterback Brandon Bornhauser taking it in on a keeper from 1-yard out to give the Redskins a 19-14 edge as they headed to the locker room.
Middletown got on the board first in the second half. After a series of three-and-outs by both teams, Gates returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown. The Middies went for two, but could not convert. That put it at 20-19. It would be the last lead of the game for Middletown.
Anderson's defense closed the door the rest of the way and Slater added two more scores as he finished with four touchdowns. Bornhauser scored the game's final points on a 16-yard touchdown run with 3:32 left in the game. He netted 132 yards and two scores on 23 carries.
Watkins was held in check, a week after a huge performance against Moeller. The senior finished his final high school game by completing 13 of his 26 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He managed just 25 yards on seven carries. Classmate Antonio Banks finished with 96 yards on 18 carries.
With the win Anderson advances to next week's Region 4 final and will play the winner of the St. Xavier-Elder game.