Bloom-Carroll headed to third straight regional final after 35-6 win over Heath

COLUMBUS — The Bloom-Carroll football team has proven it can beat teams in a variety of ways, whether it be using outstanding weapons on the outside or running between the tackles.

On Friday, in a Division IV, Region 15 semifinal against Heath, Bloom-Carroll put the ball into the hands of a pair of running backs — junior Chase Plantz and sophomore Dylan Armentrout — and the Bulldogs didn’t have an answer.

The bruising running style of Plantz and the speedy Armentrout combined for 254 yards and accounted for four touchdowns to help lead top-seeded Bloom-Carroll to a 35-6 win at DeSales' Alumni Stadium.

“We call ourselves thunder and lightning,” Plantz said. “He is the little speed back and loosens the defense up, and then I lower my head and get the tough yards when we need it. We did a great job with our tempo and I didn’t think (Heath) handled it well.”

Bloom-Carroll (13-0) advanced to its third consecutive regional final and will face St. Clairsville, a 35-0 winner over Byesville Meadowbrook, next Friday night for a berth in the final four. The site will be determined by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Plantz finished with 130 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns and Armentrout carried the ball 15 times for 124 yards and a TD.

Bloom-Carroll coach Wade Bartholomew said having a pair of backs like that, especially when they are so effective running the ball, makes his offense hard to stop.

“They are kind of a smashmouth-quick tandem duo but, more importantly, just to be able to have two kids you know you can ride in a game like this is big time,” Bartholomew said. "Chase plays both sides of the ball and Dylan being able to carry some of the load and give him a break, is huge.

“We have weapons on the outside, and knowing teams have to worry about them, and then to have two kids you can hand it to and win you a football game, it makes us dangerous," he added.

While Bloom-Carroll is back in familiar territory, Heath played 13 games for the first time in program history. It won back-to-back outright Licking County League-Cardinal Division titles for the first time and made back-to-back playoff trips for just the second time in program history.

Bulldogs coach Tim Ward said the seniors deserve much credit for their recent success.

“They did a great job of getting guys to come out and play,” Ward said. “Keylan Williams and Reese Huber were obviously huge additions. And if anything, they are going to teach some of the younger guys that in order to win championships and making runs in the playoffs, you have to get your best athletes and players to play.”

Heath moved the ball and converted three first downs on its first possession against a Bloom-Carroll defense that had only yielded three points in its previous four games. However, after that opening drive stalled, Heath turned over the ball over twice, of which Bloom-Carroll turned into a pair of touchdowns.

“At this point in the season you have to make plays when people make mistakes," Bartholomew said, "so getting those two big turnovers and being able to score on both of them was huge."

The first came when All-Ohio defensive lineman Luke Ferrell sacked quarterback Brayden Bayless, forced a fumble and recovered it. Six plays later, Armentrout scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with 5:01 left in the first quarter.

Heath then muffed a punt and Bloom-Carroll quickly took advantage, as Plantz scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to give Bloom-Carroll a 14-0 lead. It pushed its lead to 21-0 when Plantz scored on an 8-yard run with 6:52 left in the half.

It stayed that way at halftime thanks to a defensive stand by Heath when Gavin Postelwaite forced a fumble that Connor Corbett recovered at the 3-yard line. Bloom-Carroll opened the second half with an 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive that Plantz capped with a 1-yard run.

Senior quarterback K.J. Benedict finished out the scoring when he threw a 6-yard strike to Carter Bepler with 9:59 left to give Bloom-Carroll a 35-0 lead.

Benedict had another efficient game, completing 15 of 18 passes for 157 yards. Beau Wisecarver finished with five catches for 56 yards and Branyon Dodds had four for 56.

Heath was led by outstanding freshman running back Corbett, who finished with 88 yards rushing on nine carries and scored its lone touchdown on a 15-yard run with 4:30 remaining in the game.

“It was a great game for (Corbett),” Ward said. “He is a special player. When both this week and last week, both head coaches when we talked before the game, he was the player they brought up, as far as they are trying to scheme around. He had a great season this year and another great game tonight and a great beginning to his legacy.”

Bloom-Carroll finished with 450 total yards, including 293 on the ground, while Heath finished with 220 total yards. The Bulldogs’ defense limited Heath’s outstanding sophomore quarterback to just 10 of 24 passing for 103 yards.

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Bloom-Carroll tops Heath 35-6 to secure third straight trip to regional final