The Ashland University Eagles football team won a playoff game for the first time in two years in a thrilling 40-38 win over the Charleston Golden Eagles on Saturday Nov. 23.
The Eagles won the game’s opening toss and chose to defer to the second half. On Charleston’s first drive, just over 90 seconds into the game, the Golden Eagles coughed up the football giving the Eagles possession. Sophomore linebacker Ben Holzopfel, returning from injury, pounced on the ball for the Eagles defense.
Just one play later senior quarterback Trevor Bycznski found senior wide receiver Tony Pannunzio for a 41 yard touchdown. The Eagles were off to a hot start on the road in the playoffs leading 7-0.
Ashland would force another punt by the Golden Eagles earning the football back in the late stages of the first frame. The Eagles went on an 11 play drive, capped off by a 37 yard field goal by senior kicker AJ Rhodes. The score was 10-0.
On the ensuing drive the Golden Eagles went hurry up offense as their first wrinkle of the game leading them deep into Eagles territory. On a 36 yard field goal try by Charleston kicker Levi Paxton, Ashland got whistled for a defensive holding call, extending the Golden Eagles redzone drive.
Charleston took advantage with a one yard rushing touchdown on fourth and goal by Niko Kausky – Golden Eagles now within three.
The Eagles went three and out on their next drive, leaving momentum turning the way of Charleston. That was until a fumble inside of the ten yard line by Golden Eagles running back Chavon Wright punched out by Bobby Young. The Eagles regained possession back at their own two yard line.
Golden Eagles now fumbled twice in the first half, after only losing the football once the entire year in the regular season.
The Eagles played it conservatively, choosing to punt back to the Golden Eagles after three run plays. The Golden Eagles would waste no time taking their first lead of the ball game with 2:38 left to go before halftime. Golden Eagles Ean Hamric found Yves Bosmans from 41 yards away. The Golden Eagles were now on top 14-10 and the score remained the same heading into the locker room.
On the first possession of the second half the Eagles would make their way into Golden Eagles territory but found themselves pigeon holed into going for a fourth down and nine just outside of field goal range. The Eagles didn’t convert, giving the Golden Eagles the ball back and a chance to grow their lead.
The Golden Eagles went right down the field in nine plays covering 69 yards to take a 21-10 lead. The pressure was now on the Eagles to get back into the game. Bycznski connected with Pannunzio on a 46 yard pass to set up the offense on the goal line. It took Bycznski three quarterback sneaks to find paydirt but it was now a four point game, with the Golden Eagles leading 21-17.
With right around five minutes left in the third quarter the Golden Eagles went three and out of their drive, and after a shanked punt, the Eagles took over at the Golden Eagles 47 yard line. Both teams would trade stalling out drives over the next few minutes. The Eagles went into the fourth frame driving with the football in Golden Eagles territory.
Just two plays into the fourth quarter, Bycznski found tight end Brock Henne for a nine yard touchdown strike. The Eagles had the lead in the fourth quarter 24-21.
The lead didn’t last long as the Golden Eagles came right back down the field relying on the ground game to take a 28-24 lead. It was Hamric from 9 yards out on the touchdown, but it was the legs of Wright doing most of the work to get them down the field. 10:46 left in the ball game.
This time it was the Eagles answering with a long touchdown from Bycznski to Jamari Croom. The Eagles retook a two point lead after a missed extra point. Ashland led 30-28.
After another quick Golden Eagles drive, Ashland didn’t take long to strike the scoreboard again. Eagles running back O’lando Kamara broke free untouched on a 77 yard touchdown run. This play put the Eagles ahead by nine, and more importantly up two possessions with 5:28 left to play.
Paxton from 42 yards away was good on a kick after a low snap to cut the lead down to six. With just over three minutes left to go Ashland had a chance to shut the door.
Ashland punted the ball back to Charleston inside the five yard line. With under two minutes to go, and trailing by six, the Golden Eagles had one last chance to avoid the upset.
Hemric found Bosmans for the second time in the game for another score on a deep post route. The all important point after attempt was good as well, giving the Golden Eagles a 38-37 lead with 1:13 left in the game.
The Eagles had three timeouts and used them effectively to leave AJ Rhodes with one final attempt to win the game from 37 yards away. The kick was good even despite a defensive penalty. The Eagles won 40-38.
The Eagles will move on to the second round where they will take on California (PA) on Saturday Nov. 30 with kickoff time TBD.
