St. Xavier outlasts St. Ignatius in D-I classic

Despite being 4-5 after nine weeks, Bombers crash state playoffs and win third big school title

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Eric Frantz
By
Dec 3, 2016, 12:00am
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Division I State Final: St. Xavier (Cincinnati) 27, St. Ignatius (Cleveland) 20 (2OT)

BOX SCORE/STATS

WHAT WE LEARNED

1. Extra football: In just the second D-I state final to reach overtime and first since 2006, St. Xavier captured its third state title, while denying St. Ignatius its 12th.

2. Records are overrated: After a Week 9 loss to St. Ignatius, St. Xavier dropped to 4-5. They won in Week 10 to make the playoffs and then rode that momentum through the postseason, becoming just the second team in state history to make the finals with five losses and first to win a state title.  

3. Defense: Both defenses shined. St. Ignatius had scored 30 or more points in 12 of its 14 games coming in but was limited to 20 even with the inclusion of two extra periods. Ignatius held St. Xavier to 205 total yards. Ignatius threw for 69 yards, while St. Xavier ran for 56.
St. Ignatius lineman Michael Chime recovers a blocked punt for a first half touchdown.
St. Ignatius lineman Michael Chime recovers a blocked punt for a first half touchdown.
Photo by Nick Falzerano


TOP PLAYERS

* Mark Bobinski, jr., RB, St. Ignatius
Carried the ball 34 times for 140 yards.

* Sean Clifford, sr., QB, St. Xavier
Threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

* Michael Chime, sr., DL, St. Ignatius
Had nine tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.

* Adam Shibley, sr., LB, St. Ignatius
Had a game-high 14 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks.

* Pete Rumpke, sr., DB, St. Xavier
Had a team-high 13 tackles.

* Carl Grimm, sr., DB, St. Xavier
Had 12 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

* Andrew Wittrock, jr., WR, St. Xavier
Caught three passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns.

* James Leyden, sr., LB, St. Ignatius
Had six tackles, 3.5 tackles for-loss and three sacks.

* Blake Bacevich, jr., DL, St. Xavier
Had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Both defenses shined in the D-I title game as both offenses failed to reach 250 yards of total offense.
Both defenses shined in the D-I title game as both offenses failed to reach 250 yards of total offense.
Photo by Gary Hosuteau


STATS

13,690 – Attendance.

250 – The plateau that neither team reached in total offense (St. Ignatius 246 and St. Xavier 205).

9 – Number of sacks St. Ignatius had.

15 – Number of punts the teams combined for.
St. Xavier was 4-5 after Week 9, but still won the D-I state title.
St. Xavier was 4-5 after Week 9, but still won the D-I state title.
Photo by Gary Hosuteau


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