John Bruce, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LOGAN — Wheelersburg simply met its match in Saturday’s regional championship against Grandview Heights.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
The defending state champions from Grandview took the attack to the Pirates throughout the afternoon on their way to an impressive 2-0 victory at Logan High School.
The Pirates (17-2-2) played a bend-but-don’t-break style of defense, containing the Bobcats’ offense through most of the first half — using backs Nolan Wright, Gavin Bradley, Miller McKenzie and Clark Weller to withstand the dynamic attack from GH’s Danny Claypool and Jayden Brown.
For the most part, the Pirates were able to keep the Bobcats to low percentage shots from outside the box.
However, that all changed after a foul was whistled inside the box against the Pirates with 16:37 left in the first half. Claypool, the Bobcats’ leading scorer, put an excellent left-footed strike into the back of the net to put the Bobcats ahead, 1-0.
Wheelersburg continued to compete with Max Hagans, Nick Sylvia, Connor Estep and Jackson Schwamburger doing what they could to put pressure on Grandview Heights’ defense.
But they were unable to mount a substantial attack due to the Bobcats’ outstanding defense, led by last year’s leading scorer, Will DeVere.
Grandview added a massive insurance goal with 20:32 left to play when Brown cleaned up a loose ball in the box and powered it in, making it 2-0.
Despite the losing effort, freshman Breyden Byrd was amazing in goal for the Pirates, saving 19 out of 21 shots on goal from Grandview Heights.
“He grew up tonight,” Wheelersburg coach Jon Estep said of Byrd. “He kept us in it and he was rock-solid. To watch him grow up and now you’re looking at what’s to come with him, it’s exciting. He’s going to lead our defense and it’s going to be a great run.”
The Pirates will come up one game short of the Final 4, but will return eight starters for next season, including Hagans and Sylvia, who combined for 90 goals this fall. Graduating are Jackson Schwamburger, Nolan Wright, Gavin Bradley, Eli Brammer and Jeremiah Stratton.
“They mean a lot to us,” Estep said. “Four of the five have been here all the way through. Those guys didn’t bat an eye and they worked hard. We’re going to miss them. They achieved so much in their four years.”
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