Utica (7-3, 3-2) finished the regular season with back-to-back shutout wins, with the Redskins crushing Licking County- Cardinal Conference rival Lakewood (2-8, 0-5) 35-0 in the final game of the regular season led by a three touchdown effort by Justin Giffin.
The senior running back Giffin paced the high powered offense with 17 carries for 101 yards and three scores. He started off the scoring in the first quarter on a three-yard touchdown run. Utica’s defense then stepped up with a Chase Bennett fumble recovery taken 35-yards for a score. Giggin scored again on a one-yard run to put Utica up 21-0 after one quarter.
They scored again in the second quarter on a run by quarterback Hayden Piper from a yard out to make it 28-0 at halftime. Giffin struck for a one-yard score in the third quarter to cap off the scoring, winning 35-0.
"Our team played well and executed in all 3 phases of the game on Friday (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams)," said Coach Charles Rowley. "Forced turnovers by our defense and excellent kicking and coverage by our special teams created great field position for our offense to convert touchdowns. Our kids had great focus from the very beginning of the game and played very physical."
Piper was 5-for-6 for 48 yards, and also ran seven times for 23 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Thornsberry had three rushes for 25 yards. Gavin Chinn was the top receiver with four catches for 24 yards.
On defense, Tyler Collura had 11 tackles and Thornsberry got to the quarterback for a sack.
Utica had a 230-186 yardage advantage in the game, but the big difference was the defense. The Redskins forced six fumbles with five lost for turnovers. Chase Bennett recovered two with one for a touchdown and Grayson Tyo also had two fumble recoveries.
This season was a massive turnaround, as they were 3-7 last year and 1-4 in conference play. The year before they were 1-9 and 1-4 in conference play, and 0-10 and 0-11 the two years prior. The program has struggled mightily in recent memory, with their last winning season coming in 2010 when they were 6-4 and 5-2 in Mid-Buckeye Conference play.
This year has been much different, with Utica outscoring opponents 249-141. The Redskins started the season with a loss, but went on to win the next five games. They had a two game skid, but turned that around. The Redskins have outscored opponents 55-0 over the past two weeks, getting hot at just the right time for playoff action.
The No. 11 Redskins are taking on No. 6 Columbus Academy (9-1, 4-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. in the OHSAA Region 19 tournament opening round on the road.
