Bellevue quarterback Stephen Specht was asked whether contributing on offense or defense was more enjoyable.
Specht was an authority on both Friday – one rushing score and one interception – helped the Tigers beat Dayton, 18-0, in the annual Battle for the Paddle meeting.
So, what was Specht’s answer?
“Probably the pick,” he said. “I returned it pretty far downfield, got my team in a good positioning.
“We got the score from there. I got a little hurt, but it’s OK.”
Friday was the 153rd meeting between Bellevue and Dayton in the series that began in 1926, and Bellevue extended its lead to 99-51-3. What was more enjoyable for the Tigers: shutting out the Greendevils for the second straight year.
Bellevue won its fourth straight because of its stingy defense – the Tigers have allowed just 14 points over the last four weeks.
“We had seven against St. Henry, we shut out Iroquois, gave seven up against Ludlow and shut out Dayton,” Bellevue coach Chad Montgomery said. “… So we knew our defense was going to be able to hold our ground. We were hoping the offense can move the ball, and as you saw the first half, we struggled.”
Dayton coach Jesse Herbst didn’t need as many words to describe what happened.
“Inexperience,” he said. “We’re very young, we were very inexperienced … (Bellevue’s) senior-laden. They have very good fronts and really good players.”
Neither the Tigers nor the Greendevils produced a lot of offense – Bellevue had 166 total yards (133 rushing and 33 passing), while Dayton had 165 (46 rushing, 119 passing).
Bellevue’s (5-2, 1-0 in Class A, District 3) defense was the difference Friday. Ben Trimnell – a Dayton transfer – knocked down two second-half passes that could’ve been completed, the Tigers recovered a fumble, and Amari Rodgers took a Landan Harris pass 75 yards for the last touchdown.
A disturbing pattern, at least from Dayton’s perspective, emerged in the first quarter: drive-killing penalties and turnovers.
After an offside penalty on Bellevue’s Derrick Fortner gave the Greendevils a first-and-5 on their own 45, Malachi Kennedy had two carries for 17 yards, Mykah Foster ran once for nine, and Harris connected with Cole Meiggs for six – which meant little because an illegal block on Foster stalled the proceedings.
Dayton’s (2-5, 0-1 in district) next drive was equally frustrating. Harris’ pass to to Phoenix Dunford and a couple runs from Kennedy put the ball on Bellevue’s 17 – just in time for Specht to intercept Foster’s halfback pass.
“I was just dropping back, and I just see the ball go up,” Specht said. “I’m like, I’ve just gotta go get that ball. If I don’t get the ball, at least get the tackle.”
Bellevue was not immune to miscues on offense – two false start miscues ended a late second-quarter march.
The Tigers finally opened the scoring when Specht scored from six yards with 3:32 to go in the third quarter.
“I feel like in the first half … we were playing sluggish,” Specht said.
Philadelphia Eagles-style tush-push plays are called illegal aiding in high school – a fact the Greendevils discovered late in the third quarter when a penalty negated Harris’ 61-yard touchdown run.
Carson Scott converted Specht’s interception into 12-0 Bellevue with 1:56 left in the fourth. Less than a minute later, Fortner hit Harris’ right arm, and Rodgers grabbed the ball and took off down the left side.
“That’s my first-ever pick six,” Rodgers said, “Oh, it felt good.”
Bellevue heads to Newport next Friday, and Newport Central Catholic hosts Dayton at Dixie Heights.
TIGERS 18, GREENDEVILS 0
BELLEVUE— 0-0-6-12 — 0
DAYTON — 0-0-0-0 — 0
Scoring Plays
Third quarter
B-Stephen Specht 6 run (3:22), kick failed
Fourth quarter
B-Carson Scott 5 run (1:56), kick failed
B-Amari Rodgers 75 interception return (1:04), kick failed
Records: Bellevue 5-2 (1-0 in Class A, District 3), Dayton 2-5 (0-1).