Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
SUNBURY — Maybe Minford was riding high from winning its first-ever regional title. Maybe the Falcons thought they already had an edge.
Or, maybe, it was the bleached hair.
No matter the case, heading into Wednesday, Minford believed it could do the unthinkable.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
And now, that belief has the Falcons playing for a Division V state championship.
Behind a hat trick from Myles Montgomery, the Falcons rode a stingy defense and an early wave of momentum, to earn a 4-0 victory over Kidron Central Christian at Big Walnut High School.
“Man, this doesn’t happen to us. It wasn’t supposed to happen to us, but these kids have worked their tails off and they really deserve it,” Minford coach Jacob Hackworth said. “We talked as the tournament went on about winning the next game and the next one to be remembered. And now the next game is the state final, which is crazy.”
From the opening touch, Minford (19-3) played with a level of confidence that was impossible to match.
The Falcons knew the Comets (15-5-2) couldn’t keep up in the open field, nor match their physicality for 80 straight minutes.
“Right after we beat Grandview Heights, we went right back and started watching film. It was silent for 40 minutes, and I know they wanted it so bad,” Hackworth said. “We were so hyped in the locker room, and the only thing said was that we’re going to the state final. They knew it.”
Central Christian had a chance to connect first with a 1-v-1 chance, but Minford goalie Kade Glockner made the save to keep them off the board — like he’s been doing all year long.
That was the only shot the Comets had in the first half.
“I was a little worried about the trip up here. The guys seemed very relaxed, but a little tired as well and our first 10 minutes we pretty flat,” Hackworth said. “We’ll go as far as Kade Glockner takes us. Although Myles gets the hype for being the player he is, Kade is the one pulling the wagon and he deserves all the credit.”
Minutes later, Minford earned a free kick. Montgomery took it and connected with the bottom right corner for a 1-0 lead.
The Falcons fired off a few more shots to no avail as time winded down in the first half. But they got a gift from KCC.
Off a goal kick, the ball hit Montgomery and he turned around, outraced three Comet defenders and scored again to make it 2-0 at halftime.
“We figured that matching up with a team from the northeast that they were used to more of a slow pace, ball possession type of game,” Hackworth said. “Our style is definitely unorthodox. We fly around, we’re super athletic and quick so we thought we’d have a good chance to beat their defense since it’s something they hadn’t seen before.”
Though momentum was already on its side, Minford wanted some extra insurance and it took less than a minute to get it.
Rushing into the box, and off an assist from Gavin Downey, Peyton Caduill tapped the ball across the goal line. Seconds later, Montgomery got the ball in open field and scored for a third time, putting Minford ahead 4-0 and punching a first-ever state championship match ticket.
The Falcons advance to a Division V state championship game at 4 p.m., Monday at Crew Stadium against Summit Country Day.
“Regardless of what the outcome is, these kids will have a lasting legacy and be remembered forever. I’m so proud of them. All of the hard work they’ve put into program and the community support has been incredible,” Hackworth said. “Impossible is nothing, we have one game left to do something that no one else thought we could do.”
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