University Beats Salem 14-10 in Division III Quarterfinal

University Beats Salem 14-10 in Division III Quarterfinal

by

A Courtroom Victory Turns into a Gridiron Survival at Sebo Stadium

Few high school football teams punch their ticket to a postseason run via a judge’s chambers, but the University football squad managed just that. Following a Nov. 5 courtroom ruling that declared the Preppers belonged in the Division III playoffs after a back-and-forth legal battle between the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Glenville—which ultimately left fifth-seeded Glenville ineligible and 12th-seeded University advancing—the team had to immediately shift from legal briefs to tackling dummies.

Come Nov. 6 at Sebo Stadium, the Preppers faced off against fourth-seeded Salem in a Region 9 quarterfinal. They had already survived weeks of uncertainty off the field, but the game itself provided an entirely different kind of chaos.

Salem Takes Early Lead Before University Responds

Salem seized the early advantage, opening the contest with a grinding 17-play drive that ended in a field goal for a 3-0 lead. When University fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Quakers the ball at point-blank range, Salem capitalized quickly as Bairon Exline scored on a seven-yard run to push the deficit to 10-0.

University found its footing before halftime with its own methodical answer, assembling a 16-play drive that concluded with Nico Morelli’s 10-yard touchdown run. That cut Salem’s lead to 10-7 at the break and set the stage for a dramatic second half.

Just seconds into the third quarter, Tylar Robinson upended the contest. The 6-foot-2 senior caught a deep post, spun around a tackle attempt, and raced for a 60-yard touchdown reception that gave University a 14-10 lead.

People said we wouldn’t do it. People said we didn’t deserve it. But we showed we did.

University Mistakes Allow Salem to Secure Victory

Despite taking the lead, University nearly unraveled its own efforts in the game’s final minutes. Driving deep into Salem territory with less than four minutes remaining, a 30-yard snap sailed over quarterback Nico Morelli’s head. Moments later, a 25-yard snap flew past punter Sonny Siegler, handing Salem possession at the University 26-yard line with less than 3 minutes left on the clock.

Salem advanced to the University 9-yard line, facing a critical third and goal. That is when Bobby Farrell, normally a linebacker, broke up a halfback pass in the corner of the end zone. The subsequent fourth-down pass fell incomplete, preserving the 14-10 score and sparking a wild celebration as the Preppers knelt out the final seconds.

“We chose an interesting path to do it,” Coach Ben Malbasa remarked, noting the bad snaps and five turnovers his team survived. “Hopefully we decide to take an easier path in the future.”

Looking Ahead to the Regional Semifinal

Thanks to the wins both in the courtroom on Nov. 5 and on the field on Nov. 6, there is a future for University. Now holding a 7-4 record, the Preppers advance to a regional semifinal matchup on Nov. 13 against an eighth-seeded Ursuline team that upset top-seeded South in another Region 9 quarterfinal.

More on Salem: Dracut edges out Salem 28-14 in varsity football game

Keep reading

Read next