Shawnee 42, Alter 34

CINCINNATI - For a second straight year Alter (8-2) falls in a heartbreaking first round playoff loss. This time it was the reigning Division III state runner-up, Shawnee (8-3) that took down the Knights.

Alter jumped out to a 7-0 lead behind a John Mafreda 47 yard interception return for a touchdown. The Braves roared back with the next three scores. Alter was able to recapture the advantage and go into half time with a 24-21 cushion. The Knights maintained and built the lead to 34-21 after break. That when the flood gates opened for the boys from Clark County scoring the game’s final 21 points to set up a date with Athens The Plains (10-1) in the second round of the Region 12 playoffs for a second straight year.

Quarterback Tyler Bostick threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns for the victors. His opposite number, Malik Zaire had 273 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The Notre Dame-bound senior finishes the season 1,909 yards and 24 scores passing for Alter.