HOWARD — The undefeated East Knox Bulldogs’ football team has survived everything that has been thrown at them for the last three weeks of exciting playoff football. Now, the Bulldogs will take on the Springfield Tigers in the OHSAA Division VI state semifinals in Orrville on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs scored four times in the second half to defeat Carey in last Friday’s game to win the Region 22 championship. It is the first time in school history that East Knox is 13-0. Last Friday was the first time that the Bulldogs ever became regional champions. It is the Bulldogs’ first trip to the final four in their history.
The Bulldogs will face another quarterback that can do as much damage with his legs as he can with his arm. Springfield’s Beau Brungard may be as much of a hand full as Carey quarterback Ethan Beringer was last Friday. Brungard, a sophomore, is 117-for-169 for 1,955 yards in 13 games. He is also the Tigers’ No. 1 rusher. His 760 yards on 86 carries is good for 8.8 yards per carry when he tucks the ball under his arm and takes off running. Brungard had 114 yards rushing and 209 yards passing, along with a pair of touchdowns against Mogadore.
“He’s a dual threat and a tough player,” said East Knox coach Cody Reese. “He makes plays. They have good receivers — especially on the outside.”
East Knox quarterback Kadden Lester had 175 yards against Carey last week, while going 9-of-15 passing. So far this season, Lester has 2,169 yards passing and is 151-for-226. Lester was only picked off twice in the regular season and twice in the playoffs.
Aside from their workhorse quarterback, the Tigers have running backs like junior Austin Tindall (661 yards, 86 carries), and senior David Duvall (546 yards, 96 carries).
