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By: Drake Facione
Email: facioned@findlay.edu
The Findlay Oilers closed their 2018 season on the road at Tiffin. Findlay has not lost to Tiffin in 25 years, and the streak stayed alive on Saturday.
The Tiffin Dragons were 9-1 going into the contest and were looking at a possible playoff chance. However, the Oilers rained on Tiffin’s parade and came out with the victory.
In the opening quarter, things were looking good for Tiffin. A couple of strong drives resulted in touchdowns to give them a 0-13 lead after the first. Following that, Findlay made adjustments early on and controlled the rest of the game.
Findlay started the second quarter hot, scoring twice within the first six minutes. The Oilers drove 74 yards down the field in 11 plays, resulting in a Luke Stuffel touchdown reception from Adam Bertke. This brought the score to 7-13. Just three minutes later the Oilers regained the lead. Jason Moore brought in a 9-yard pass from Bertke that gave the Oilers a 1-point advantage.
A few back and forth drives passed by before Tiffin found themselves in field goal position with about two minutes left in the half. The 28-yard kick was good and the Dragons had their final lead of the game at that point.
The Oilers moved quickly down the field to close out the half, and again it was Adam Bertke finding Jason Moore in the end zone one last time. This gave the Oilers a 21-16 lead going into halftime.
The Oilers continued to dominate in their final half of the season. They put together a strong 12 play, 82-yard drive in the middle of the third to set them up in field goal position. Grant Loveridge knocked in the 24-yard field goal, bringing the Oilers lead to 8 points.
Findlay scored two more times in their final quarter of the season. Demondre Blanks broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run early in the fourth. This brought the Oilers lead to 15 points and at that point, the game was just about over.
The last touchdown of the Oilers came from Drew Ogletree, catching an 8-yard pass from Bertke after a lengthy nine play, 95-yard drive. The game ended in a final score of 38-16.
Findlay’s defense was the biggest factor in the second half of Saturday’s game. They completely shut down the Dragons and as a result, could not get anywhere down field.
The seniors held it down strong in the final half of their careers. Tyler Long led Findlay with nine tackles. Michael Campbell and Cyle Skidmore each had six tackles as well. Chiebuke Chukwuneke had an interception and five tackles in his final game as an Oiler.
Findlay’s victory shut down Tiffin’s playoff hopes. The Dragons fell to 9-2 on the season and the Oilers finished at 8-3. Overall, it was a solid season from the Oilers. The beginning of the season had a few hiccups but as time went on they came together as a unit and closed the season on a five game win streak.
