GALION — So close and yet so far.
Galion was 42 yards from taking the lead over Ottawa-Glandorf late in the fourth quarter.
But an interception stopped the potential game-winning drive. The Titans were then able to milk the clock and hold on for a 13-7 win over the host Tigers in the Division IV, Region 14 first-round playoff game.
With the win, Ottawa-Glandorf (6-5) advances to the second playoff round, traveling to No. 2 seeded Shelby (11-0) next Friday.
“Hats off to both defenses tonight, but we just couldn’t get out of our own way,” Galion coach Matt Dick said. “I wish we could go 3-and-out without a holding penalty or a false start or something.”
Both teams were haunted by infractions. The Tigers were assessed eight penalties for 55 yards and the Titans were flagged 10 times for 85 yards. The teams combined for five turnovers.
“Talk about a game of crazy plays — turnovers, penalties, both sides,” Ottawa-Glandorf coach Ken Shriner said. “Odd things that go on, but that’s why we play the game.”
One of the “crazy plays” came early in the fourth quarter. With his team clinging to a 7-0 lead, O-G quarterback Peyton Kuhlman attempted a long pass that initially looked like the Tigers were in position to intercept.
However, 5-foot-10 Ethan Metzger was able to go over top the defense and secure the reception at the Galion 20 — a 40-yard gain — setting up what proved to be the winning touchdown.
Kuhlman finished it off, hooking up with Dan Duling from 13-yards out. The extra point try was blocked but the Titans had a 13-0 lead with 10:42 left in the game.
“It just never clicked. It was a lot of hot-cold,” Dick said. “Some of that comes from new guys stepping up, mixing a lot of guys in. It just didn’t click tonight.”
Galion (7-4) was able to put a drive together in answer to the second Ottawa-Glandorf score. It took the Tigers 10 plays, covering 70 yards to get on the board.
Quarterback Ayden Schmidt punched it in from the one to cut the deficit to 13-7 with 6:20 left.
“Give them credit. They moved down the field to get within one score.” Shriner said. “We missed the extra point — that’s unbelievable. We’re giving them life and we can’t do that. But our defense played outstanding throughout the evening.”
After accumulating just 81 yards of offense in the first half, the Tigers made some halftime adjustments that helped spark the scoring drive.
“Running Schmidt a little more definitely became an issue,” Dick said. “We started huddling a little more. I think we had some issues with some signals tonight. Hats off to O-G. They were doing some really good things.”
Schmidt ran 13 times for 64 yards in the second half after just five rushes for 24 yards in the first two periods.
After the score, Galion’s defense forced a 3-and-out. The Tigers took over at their 43 and moved to the Ottawa-Glandorf 42. But on third down, Schmidt rolled right and tried to squeeze a pass in on the sideline.
Titans’ linebacker Vinnie Brinkman picked off the attempt to end the drive. O-G was able to effectively run out the remaining time, picking up two first downs, both on the ground. Grant Evers ran it seven times for 30 yards.
While the Titans did eventually turn it over on downs, Galion had time for just one play and the game ended.
“We went back to what we wanted to do,” Shriner said. “I think we made some bonehead mistakes early in the second half, early in the third quarter.”
O-G got the only score of the first half on the first play of the second quarter. Kuhlman ran in from seven yards to cap a five-play, 63-yard drive.
Schmidt led the Galion offense with 88 yards rushing on 18 carries and the only touchdown. Braxton Stuckman had 38 yards on 12 carries and Braxton Prosser had four receptions for 22 yards.
“If you play in the (Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference) and if you have a chance with the ball in the fourth quarter to win it, that’s all you can ask for,” Dick said. “I love how our kids work. I love the effort they put in tonight and they gave us a chance to win.”
Kuhlman led the Titans, passing for 167 yards and a touchdown, though he was intercepted twice. He also ran for 41 yards and a TD. Evers finished with 68 yards on the ground on 19 carries. Metzger added 115 yards receiving on four catches.
The Titans appeared prepared for the scrum after surviving their grueling Western Buckeye League schedule.
“We feel that way. But don’t take anything away from (Galion),” Shriner said. “They’re a good football team. We’ve seen them twice now (the first a 28-17 Titans’ win in the 2019 playoffs). Both times it came down to the wire. We’ve played here twice, and they’ve given us everything.”
Four Tigers played their last game.
“With these four seniors, to say we’re 7-4, that’s a heck of an accomplishment,” Dick said. “Hats off to Braxton Prosser, Allen Carver, Michael Drake, and Luke Garverick. They all had different paths. These four kids are just great kids who did stuff right.
“We’ve had a ton of guys step up and play remarkable football,” Dick added. “All those guys playing different positions will be a huge gain for us next year.”
Box score
Ottawa-Glandorf 13, Galion 7
Score by quarters
Ottawa-Glandorf 0 7 0 6 — 13
Galion 0 0 0 7 — 7
Scoring summary
Second quarter
OG — Peyton Kuhlman 7 run (Cooper Fischer kick), 11:56.
Fourth quarter
OG — Dan Duling 13 pass from Kuhlman (kick blocked), 10:42.
G — Ayden Schmidt 1 run (Allen Carver kick), 6:20.
Individual statistics
Passing
Ottawa-Glandorf: Peyton Kuhlman 9-21-2 167; Galion: Ayden Schmidt 7-12-1 40.
Rushing
Ottawa-Glandorf: Grant Evers 19-68, Peyton Kuhlman 8-41, Deegan miller 1-6, Ethan Metzger 1-2; Galion: Ayden Schmidt 18-88, Braxton Stuckman 12-38, Jacob Chambers 7-32, Braxton Prosser 2-22, Trevor Shifley 1-6, Landyn Prosser 1-2.
Receiving
Ottawa-Glandorf: Ethan Metzger 4-115, Dan Duling 3-36, Deegan Miller 1-9, Vinnie Brinkman 1-7; Galion: Braxton Prosser 4-22, Landyn Miller 2-12, Jacob Chambers 1-6.
Team statistics
OG G
First downs 12 14
Rushing 29-117 41-188
Passes 9-21-2 7-12-1
Yards passing 167 40
Total yards 284 228
Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-2
Punts 4-37.0 3-39.0
Penalties 10-85 8-55