First Quarter

Big Walnut opened the game with the ball, and a long run by sophomore quarterback Eli Stumpf advanced the ball just shy of midfield. Eventually, the Golden Eagles stalled out and a Jake Neff punt gave the ball to the Raptors. Justice Burnam connected with Trace Jallick on a long pass for Anderson, and with 7:12 to go in the first quarter, senior Caden Piening ran 14 yards for a Raptor touchdown. Lucas Callahan made the extra point to give Anderson a 7-0 lead. Big Walnut's next drive resulted in another punt, and a Durrell Turner rush and Piening reception moved the ball inside the red zone at the 17-yard line. With 2:59 remaining, Burnam scrambled up the middle for a one-yard touchdown. Callahan's PAT extended the Raptors' lead to 14-0. The first quarter concluded with the Golden Eagles in possession but trailing by two touchdowns.

Second Quarter

Big Walnut's third drive included a heavy dose of sophomore running back Nolan Buirley. With six minutes left in the half, the Golden Eagles pushed the ball into the red zone, and Buirley carried the ball into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown to reduce the deficit to one score with 4:03 remaining. Neff's extra point was good to make it a 14-7 game. On the ensuing drive, Clint Stover picked off a Justice Burnam pass to give the ball back to Big Walnut at Anderson's seven-yard line. Buirley got the call again, and ran four yards for another Golden Eagle touchdown. Neff's successful PAT tied the contest at 14 apiece. The Raptors moved the ball quickly on the next drive courtesy of two long runs by Durrell Turner and a long pass from Burnam to Trace Jallick. With the ball on the goal line right before halftime, Big Walnut's Judah Stewart recovered a Burnam fumble to keep Anderson off the scoreboard. The teams entered halftime knotted at 14 with one half to go to determine a winner.

Third Quarter

Anderson began the third quarter with possession, but Burnam was sacked and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Big Walnut junior Brody Hatfield. A long pass set the Golden Eagles up in scoring position on the outskirts of the red zone, but the Raptor defense held strong and forced a 37-yard Jake Neff field goal try, which was good, to give Big Walnut a 17-14 lead with 5:28 remaining. On the following drive, Burnam hooked up on a long pass with senior receiver Aiden McClanahan to advance the ball inside the red zone. With 3:20 to go in the quarter, Burnam scrambled for a five-yard touchdown to restore the Raptors' lead. Callahan made the extra point to make it a four-point game 21-17. Anderson attempted an onside kick, but it was recovered by Big Walnut on their own 41-yard line. The Golden Eagles were quickly forced to punt, and the Raptors ended the third quarter with possession and a 21-17 lead.

Fourth Quarter

Durrell Turner opened the fourth with a long run for the Raptors, but Anderson eventually turned the ball over on downs, giving Big Walnut the ball on its own 44-yard line. Buirley recorded a long run to move the ball across midfield, but the Golden Eagle drive was also unsuccessful and resulted in a turnover on downs just past midfield. With five minutes to play in the game, senior Austin Kawasaki intercepted a Justice Burnam pass to set up Big Walnut on the Raptors 35. Nolan Buirley then uncorked a 24-yard run for a Golden Eagles touchdown to give Big Walnut the lead with 4:13 left in the game. Neff made his third PAT of the night to extend the lead to three at 24-21. On the ensuing drive, Anderson methodically pushed the ball downfield and entered the red zone with just under two minutes to go. With just 38 seconds remaining, Burnam scrambled for a one-yard go-ahead touchdown. Callahan added the extra point and the Raptors advanced to the state final for the first time in 16 years.