Ohio High School Football - Little Miami edged by Anderson
September 7, 2024: Cincinnati, OH 45255 The Anderson Raptors got by the visiting Little Miami Panthers football team by a score of 12-6 in Saturday's non-league challenge.
In their next game, the Raptors face the Lebanon Warriors (Lebanon, OH) in a non-league challenge, on Saturday, September 14. Anderson will attempt to improve on its 3-0 season record. The Warriors go into the challenge with a 1-1 record after their 42-0 non-league win over Loveland (Loveland, OH).
The Panthers (1-2) will now prepare for their challenge against St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH). The Bombers go into the non-league challenge with a 1-1 record.
First Quarter
The Raptors received the ball first to begin the game, and a Luke Pastura run put the ball across midfield on the opening drive. Anderson marched down the field and into the red zone before a passing touchdown gave the Raptors a 6-0 lead with five minutes to go in the first. The two-point conversion rush was no good. Little Miami, however, soon answered on their first drive that culminated in a Logan Kerner 5-yard touchdown run. The Panthers also failed to convert, so the game stayed tied at 6-6. With under a minute remaining, Anderson quarterback Grant Fyffe connected with Griffin Mebius on a long pass. The quarter expired with the Raptors and Panthers still knotted at six.
Second Quarter
The Raptors began the second quarter with possession and momentum, but a Little Miami sack set back the offense and eventually Anderson turned the ball over on downs. On the next drive, the Raptors intercepted a Panther pass deep in Anderson territory. A long pass from Fyffe to Cooper Snider moved the ball out to midfield, but Fyffe and company ultimately turned the ball over on downs again. Little Miami took over but could not score before the half expired, and the teams headed to the locker room still tied at six.
Third Quarter
Anderson captured the momentum early in the second half as linebacker Kenneth Purden recovered a Panther fumble in Little Miami territory. The excitement was short-lived, however, as the ball was intercepted by Little Miami shortly after. The Raptors got the ball back and put together a long drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown completion from Fyffe to Snider to put Anderson back ahead at 12-6 with two minutes to go in the third. The two-point try was once again no good. The Raptor lead stood at six as the game entered the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Panthers failed to muster any points on the ensuing drive, and a long run by Anderson's Luke Pastura put the Raptors well within scoring position in the Little Miami red zone. The Raptors ended up turning the ball over on downs, but the Panthers could not score on the final drive of the game and Anderson escaped with a 12-6 nail-biting win over Little Miami.
