A few short weeks ago, the Sycamore Aviators weren't even sure they’d be playing games this month. Now, after Friday night’s 20-7 win over the Mason Comets, they're on their way to a third November game.
It’s been 'win or go home' for Sycamore for well over the past the month, and so far, Scott Datillo’s team has responded.
That was the case on Friday night, when they met up with Mason at Middletown’s Barnitz Stadium. The two teams faced off just two weeks ago at Sycamore, and the Aviators won that contest 17-10. It wasn’t quite as close this time around.
Senior running back Ra'Von Bonner carried the load in the win. He carried the ball 38 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. In total, he accounted for 41 touches 289 all-purpose yards, including a 61-yard kickoff return following Mason’s only score.
"He was huge. He is always huge," Dattilo said after the win. "I said it before: The number one thing on my call list is to make sure 21 touches the ball a lot."
They won the contest up front as Sycamore dominated Mason on both sides of the ball.
"The game is won and lost up there, and tonight we did a good job," Datillo added. “In the second half. our defense came up big down close, and then our offense ran the clock out, essentially."
The Aviators outgained the Comets 224-90 yards defense held Mason to (-1) yard rushing on 28 carries. The longest gain they allowed all night came on a 9-yard touchdown run by Matt Sora. Sycamore won the time of possession battle by more than 20 minutes.
The victory marked the sixth straight win for Sycamore. The school will makes its first-ever regional finals appearance next week against St. Xavier, which knocked off Colerain 29-23 in overtime on Friday night.
