Sycamore 27, Princeton 26

CINCINNATI - The stakes were high for the Sycamore Aviators entering Friday night, but it was the Princeton Vikings that played like a team with nothing to lose as they nearly knocked off the Aviators, who prevailed in overtime 27-26.

The contest would not be decided until the final play when the Vikings answered a Greg Simpson 5-yard TD run with a 8-yard pass for Tyrell Gilbert to William Blevins. However, Princeton was denied on a two-point conversion as running back Demarco Thomas was stopped to end the game.

Sycamore (7-1, 4-1) entered the week ranked fifth in Region 4 in the latest OHSAA weekly computer points ratings released this week, keeping them in very much in control of their playoff destiny.

On the other hand, Princeton (1-7, 1-4) just snapped a seven-game losing streak a week ago as they picked up their first victory of the season by defeating Hamilton.

The Vikings jumped out to a quick 10-point, first quarter lead behind a 27-yard field goal followed by a 2-yard TD run by Gilbert less than two minutes later.

Princeton would add three more point early in the second quarter on a 29-yard field by Jacob Bent to pad the lead.

Greg Simpson finally got Sycamore on the board with a 13-yard TD run with 1:28 left in the first half, but the kick failed and the Aviators headed to the locker room trailing 13-7.

Simpson tied the game less than three minutes into the second half when he broke free for a 41-yard run highlight reel touchdown run.

After both teams stumbled a bit on offense Gilbert put Princeton back on top with 21-yard rushing score to give the Vikings a 20-13 edge heading into the final quarter of play.

The Aviators tied the contest as Caleb Coletts pulled in a 74-yard pass from Markus James with 5:11 left in regulation.

Simpson led all rushers with 148 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Johnson added 82 yards on nine carries to go along with his passing TD.

The Vikings displayed a very balanced attack as Gilbert threw for 169 yards and a TD on 13-of-22 passing while completing a pass to six different receivers. Gilbet also accounted for 47 of Princeton’s 171 yards on the ground. Thomas added 40 yards rushing and Darrell Davis chipped in with 41 yards on just six carries.

Sycamore heads to Oak Hills next week while Princeton returns home to face Mason as GMC action continues.