TOUGH TO TACKLE...is Tyler Dunivan and the Miami East running backs as they look toward next week's showdown against Ansonia.

By Dwaine Maxson
Miami East defeated National Trail 34-13 Friday night to set up a CCC title bout against Ansonia in the regular season finale. The Blazers fought valiantly as the game was tied at halftime 13-13, but the Vikings gradually wore them down in the second half. Miami East pound National Trail for 296 yards on the ground while holding them 101 rushing yards.

In the first quarter the Vikings held the Blazers and forced them to punt the ball deep in their own territory. Jared Brown then returned the ball all the way back to the Trail 25 yard line. Five plays later Brock Smith ran in from 6 yards out for the early 7-0 lead.

The Blazers finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter. After Joey Simpson intercepted a Dalton Saylor pass it gave National Trail the ball on their 37 yard line. Although they were unable to gain anything running the ball on the drive, but they were able to get yards through the air as Blazer Ben Ballinger completed 2 of 2 passes to Dan Dillon for 64 yards. The last being a 9 yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The Vikings then engineered a 10 play 69 yard drive that included a 14 yard run by Tyler Dunivan and ended in a 3 yard touchdown run by Brock Smith to retake the lead 13-7. Then right before halftime the Blazers had a 7 play 65 yard drive. On that drive they had an 11 yard run by Kaleb Rexrode, 15 yard pass from Dan Dillon to Ben Ballinger, and of course a 20 yard touchdown pass by Ben Ballinger to Dan Dillon to make 13-13 going into half.

The Vikings then took control in the second half as they kept the ball mostly on the ground to control the clock. Their next score came on a 62 yard drive were Kyle Noe carried most of the load with 4 carries for 40 yards including runs of 19 and 12 yards. The later being for the go ahead touchdown.

Miami East’s final two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter. The first came on 7 play 58 yard drive that included a 14 yard run by Tyler Dunivan, a 17 yard run by Kyle Noe, and an 11 yard touchdown run by Brock Smith. The final score came when Brock Smith intercepted a Ben Ballinger pass at the 50 yard line and returned it to the Blazer 6 yard line. Two plays later Viking Brady McMaken scored on a 2 yard run.

Kyle Noe lead Miami East with 126 yards rushing on 17 carries and a touchdown. The Blazers were lead by Ben Ballinger who was 6 of 11 passing for 121 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. All six of his passes were caught by Dan Dillon.

“Give credit to the Blazers, they didn’t give up. We got the win and have given ourselves a great opportunity next week against a very good Ansonia team. We need to be focused and come in prepared to play next week,” Viking coach Max Current commented after the game.

Next week Miami East (8-1, 8-0) will host Ansonia, while National Trail (1-8, 1-7) travels to Twin Valley South.

Score by Quarters:
Miami East ...........7......6.....7.....14 - 34
National Trail ........0....13.....0......0 - 13

Scoring Summary:
ME-Brock Smith 6 yard run (Josh Snyder kick).
NT-Dan Dillon 9 yard pass from Ben Ballinger (Cody Vance kick).
ME-Smith 3 yard run (kick fail).
NT-Dan Dillon 20 yard pass from Ben Ballinger (kick fail).
ME-Kyle Noe 12 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Smith 11 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Brady McMaken 2 yard run (Snyder kick).