CINCINNATI — Ross football coach Kenyon Commins didn't pull into his driveway until 12:45 a.m. Saturday, but he didn't seem to mind one bit.
A week after the Rams earned their first playoff win in program history, Ross followed that up with a 48-12 win at New Richmond late Friday night in a Division III, Region 12 quarterfinal.
"We're having a blast," Commins said. "We're enjoying it. And we don't take it for granted."
Ross (7-1) plays St. Marys Memorial or Bellbrook in a regional semifinal Oct. 30.
This is the fourth time Ross has made it to the regional semifinals, according to Commins. The previous appearances were in 1993, 1995 and 1997.
The severe weather didn't make it easy for Cincinnati-area teams Friday night. Lightning delays were apparent around Greater Cincinnati including at New Richmond.
The Rams (7-1) didn't get to resume play until about 9:45 p.m. Friday, Commins said. But the delay didn't deter Ross, which led 35-6 at halftime.
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The Rams had 383 yards of total offense. Junior running back Brayden Fraasman rushed nine times for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback C.J. Boze had eight carries for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Jaye Warren had six carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, sophomore inside linebacker Bryson Bastin had a team-high eight tackles including five solo. Junior defensive lineman Jude Hess had six tackles.
Commins said he thought Friday's defensive effort was the best at pursuing the ball during this entire season for the Rams.
"It's two weeks where I think our physicality kind of increased," Commins said. "I am really starting to like how physical we are being on the defensive side of the ball."
ROAD TRIP: Anderson senior quarterback Jackson Kuhn was 40 of 57 passing for 429 yards and two touchdowns as visiting Anderson defeated Piqua 29-22 in a Division II, Region 8 quarterfinal.
Kuhn also rushed 20 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns, according to the Piqua statistics.
Junior Joey Faulkner had 16 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jerrick McClanahan had four receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Senior Andrew Williams had eight receptions for 77 yards.
"Offensively, we threw the ball well enough to win," Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said. "Defensively, we had a few guys step up this week. I am proud of how we have gone through adversity this year. It was a great bus ride home."
Junior Carson Johnston and junior Casey O'Toole had seven tackles each while juniors Brody Foley and Cole Hinkle had six tackles individually.
Anderson (7-2), which has won four consecutive games since a loss at Winton Woods Sept. 25, plays at La Salle (6-2) in a regional semifinal Oct. 30.
The Lancers defeated Dayton Stebbins 49-0 Friday night. Senior quarterback Zach Branam was 10 of 16 passing for 199 yards and four touchdowns.
"They are state champs for a reason," Dreyer said. "I like their entire team."
LOOKING AHEAD: The Ohio High School Athletic Association is expected to determine the football state semifinal bracket pairings next week, according to OHSAA football administrator Beau Rugg.
That will show which regions play each other in the state semifinals. The Division I state semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 6 while Divisions II-VII are scheduled for Nov. 13-14.
The state semifinal venues will be neutral sites that will be determined by the OHSAA.
"The site will be selected based on the best site available," the OHSAA said in a memo to member schools Oct 20. "Equal travel distance is not a consideration."
