Blue Lions fall to Circleville, 39-7

0

CIRCLEVILLE — Even with a mild weather delay Friday night, Circleville defeated the Washington Blue Lions in a 39-7 non-league win.

The Tigers forced three first half turnovers and converted them into 15 of their 30 first half points. Senior quarterback Michael Camp accounted for all four of Circleville’s touchdowns in the opening half. The ability of the offense to come out firing after the 53-minute weather delay was a welcome sight for Tigers coach Heath Hinton.

“That all starts with the pass protection up front,” Hinton said. “He didn’t have to move his feet too much. There were some rushers coming a lot and we were able to pick up the initial blitz and not have to run around a lot.”

On the seventh play from scrimmage, Camp connected with Aaron Manson for a 17-yard score. Despite a muffed handle on the extra point try, holder Cole Warden found kicker Grant Hill to make it 8-0.

It didn’t take lone for the Tigers to strike again as they capitalized on a fumble during the Blue Lions’ opening rebuttal and turned it into a 34-yard air strike from Camp to Connor Warden.

Similar to the first quarter script, Circleville didn’t need much time in the second quarter—two plays to be exact—in order to extend the lead to 22-0. Camp found his third different scoring receiver with a 39-yard pitch-and-catch to Andrew Vanover.

Camp and the Tigers put an exclamation point on the half, and the game, with a 3-yard plunge with 1:24 to go in the half. The march was set up by a Mac Clark fumble recovery deep in Washington territory.

“It’s always good when you can get the ball on offense on (the opponent’s) side of the 50 and give you good field position,” Camp said. “Our defense played very well tonight and they did a great job.”

With a 12-of-20 performance in the air for 173 yards along with six carries for 35 yards, Camp continued his growth as one of the leaders on the team.

With Hill’s 34-yard field goal the only tally in the third, the Blue Lions were able to end the shutout and force the second half running clock to halt temporarily in the fourth when Timothy Robinson reached the end zone on a 12-yard dash with 10:44 remaining.

However, Chris Travis closed the scoring and rebooted the running clock nearly seven minutes later with a 7-yard rushing effort of his own.

Statistically (unofficial), Circleville had 16 first downs to 11 for the Blue Lions.

The Tigers rushed the ball 26 times for 157 yards to 34 carries for 122 yards for Washington.

Circleville had 173 passing yards to 27 for the Blue Lions for a total offensive output of 330 yards for the Tigers and 149 for Washington.

Circleville was penalized seven times for 80 yards, while the Blue Lions were flagged three times for 10 yards.

Timothy Robinson led the Blue Lions with 13 carries for 56 yards and one touchdown.

Aaron Greer carried 12 times for 35 yards. Caleb Rice carried once for 26 yards and Jacob Rice carried the ball one time for a 10-yard gain.

Jarett Patton was 3 of 8 passing for 27 yards and C.J. Taylor was 0 of 4 passing.

Ryan Flora caught one pass for 18 yards and Erik Foster caught one for nine yards.

The Blue Lions have Homecoming Friday night against Gallia Academy.

Washington Blue Lion senior Timothy Robinson (22) is wrapped up by Circleville’s Mike D’Aiello during a non-league game at Circleville High School Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/09/web1_TimothyRobinsonBlueLionfootballatcville2015.jpgWashington Blue Lion senior Timothy Robinson (22) is wrapped up by Circleville’s Mike D’Aiello during a non-league game at Circleville High School Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.

By Cody Leist

For the Circleville Herald

No posts to display