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The Big Walnut High School football team advanced to a Division III regional final for the second year in a row and for the third time overall. Now it hopes to advance to a state semifinal for the first time.

The top-seeded Golden Eagles defeated fifth-seeded Shelby 35-8 in a regional semifinal last Friday at Olentangy to improve to 11-1 and advance to play sixth-seeded Clyde in a regional final at 7:30 p.m. Friday at a site to be determined. The regional champion advances to a state semifinal Nov. 23.

In its first two regional final appearances, Big Walnut lost to Bellevue 42-35 in 2001 and to Kettering Alter 28-0 last season.

“Last year (assistant coach Joe Weaver) said, ‘Remember how this feels because you don’t want to feel it again,’” linebacker and offensive lineman Will Studlien said when asked about being in the regional final for the second year in a row.

“We’re 0-2 (in regional finals). We have to get in a great week of practice if we want to change that. We have a great team. As long as we play as a band of brothers, we’ll be good to go.”

Clyde, a member of the Sandusky Bay Conference, posted its 11th consecutive victory and improved to 11-1 with a 19-13 win over second-seeded Napoleon in a regional semifinal last Friday. The Fliers’ only setback was 28-24 to Pemberville Eastwood in their opener Aug. 24.

Clyde, which opened the playoffs with a 41-7 win over Tipp City Tippecanoe on Nov. 2, averaged 40.2 points through 11 games and had allowed 8.9 points a game during the same span. Its defense posted four shutouts during the regular season.

Aside from their loss and their win over Napoleon, the Fliers have dominated their opponents. Their closest margin of victory has been 20 points.
“We’re in a great position,” coach Scott Wetzel said. “We’re playing for a regional championship.”

Ranked fifth in the final state poll, Big Walnut scored touchdowns on its first two possessions against Shelby to take a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Ethan Wetzel scored on a 49-yard run and fullback Trevor Tutorow scored on a 6-yard run. Tutorow’s touchdown was set up by a 40-yard run by running back Cory Wolfe.

Big Walnut extended its lead to 21-0 in the third quarter when Wolfe scored on a 79-yard run. Wolfe finished with 153 yards on 11 carries.

Wetzel connected with wide receiver Joe Reed on a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to make it 28-0 before defensive lineman Kalven Baer recovered a fumble by Whippets backup quarterback Chad Coward and ran 30 yards for a touchdown.

Shelby, a member of the Northern Ohio League making its first playoff appearance since 1998, scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Coward to wide receiver Matt Sommer with 1.5 seconds left. Coward then ran for the two-point conversion.

“Our defense played great and our offense put up some big points,” coach Wetzel said. “I think a big factor was our kids have been here before. I think that was a huge advantage for us.”

Shelby, which finished 9-3, entered the contest averaging 28.2 points a game. The Whippets, who employed a mid-line option attack, moved the ball effectively at times, finishing with 249 total yards, but hurt themselves with five turnovers.

Studlien and defensive back Derek Jones each had interceptions. Baer recovered two fumbles and defensive lineman Shane Hubbard recovered one.
“Anytime you’re facing a mid-line option, you know it’s all about responsibility,” Studlien said. “We came out disciplined and ready to play because we know how good they are. I can’t say enough about the boys up front. The hogs up front played really well.”

Shelby had amassed 417 total yards and 26 first downs in its 35-7 win over fourth-seeded Bellefontaine in the first round Nov. 2. Fullback Brett Thompson led the way with a career-best 218 yards on 29 carries.

Against Big Walnut, Thompson had 69 yards on 15 carries.

“We took their fullback out of the game for the most part,” coach Wetzel said. “That was huge.”

The Whippets’ starting quarterback, Scott Baird, left the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury. The score was 14-0 at the time.

“He’s a difference-maker type of player,” coach Wetzel said. “It takes the winds out of your sails when you lose your quarterback. I should know.”

Ethan Wetzel had to leave Big Walnut’s 24-17 loss to New Albany on Oct. 26 because of a concussion. He returned for a 35-2 win over eighth-seeded Rossford in the first round Nov. 2.