BELLBROOK β Badin High School strengthened its postseason hopes Friday night with a 20-14 overtime victory against Greater Catholic League Coed rival Alter at Bellbrook High School.
Junior running back Chase Even rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 5-yard score in overtime, as the Rams improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Here are five takeaways from Badin’s victory:
1. Chase Even delivers when Badin needs him most
With Badin’s postseason hopes hanging in the balance, Even turned in one of his most important performances of the season.
The junior carried the ball 37 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for all but 10 of the Rams’ 173 rushing yards.
Even scored on a 25-yard run in the first quarter before delivering the decisive 5-yard touchdown in overtime.
His workload became increasingly important as Badin struggled through the air, completing just six passes for 76 yards.
“I knew throughout the second half we just wanted to run clock, just get first downs, take as much clock as we could,” Even said. “I knew our passing game was underwhelming today, so I knew I had to do what I do.”
2. Badin takes another important step toward the postseason
The Rams entered Friday knowing their playoff position was far from secure.
Badin’s victory improved its record to 7-2 and strengthened its standing in Division II, Region 8, with one regular-season game remaining.
Under the OHSAA’s revised postseason format, only the top 12 teams in each region qualify, making every victory important.
Even said the possibility of missing the playoffs provided motivation throughout the week.
“We were talking all throughout the week that this is the first time that there was an ‘if’ β if Badin is going to make the playoffs,” Even said. “We wanted to prove everyone wrong.”
Badin can further improve its postseason position when it closes the regular season against McNicholas on Oct. 23.
3. Badin’s defense rises to the occasion
Badin’s defense delivered when it mattered most, holding Alter to 248 total yards and keeping the Rams within striking distance despite their offensive struggles.
Jackson Turner led the defensive effort with 13 tackles, including one for loss. Preston Davenport added seven tackles, and Hudson Heid finished with six.
Alter running back Drew Cripps rushed for 123 yards and scored the tying touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Knights were unable to complete the comeback.
Badin’s defense also benefited from Alter’s missed 41-yard field goal in overtime, which gave the Rams an opportunity to win with any score.
The performance helped Badin survive a game in which its offense managed just 249 total yards and committed two turnovers.
4. Special teams provide the early spark
Badin couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Cooper Clay returned the opening kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown, immediately giving the Rams momentum in a critical conference matchup.
Even followed with a 25-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter, pushing Badin’s advantage to 14-0 before Alter answered.
“Anytime you start a game off like that, you have to feel good about your chances right off the bat,” Badin coach Nick Yordy said.
The opening kickoff return ultimately proved important in a game where offensive production was difficult to generate.
Badin scored only once more after the first quarter, making Clay’s special teams contribution a significant factor in the victory.
5. Badin continues its dominance in the rivalry
Friday’s victory marked Badin’s seventh consecutive win against Alter, continuing an impressive stretch against one of its longtime GCL Coed rivals.
Alter still leads the all-time series 27-20, but the Rams have controlled the matchup in recent years.
The Knights showed resilience after falling behind 14-0, eventually tying the game on Cripps’ 1-yard touchdown run with 8:44 remaining in regulation.
Cripps finished with 171 yards from scrimmage, while Even and Cripps combined for 286 rushing yards on 66 carries.
The physical contest came down to execution in overtime, where Alter missed a potential go-ahead field goal and Badin capitalized.
“I thought we played hard,” Alter coach Ed Domsitz said. “You go up against a good team, and you get down the way it started, it looked like it could be real trouble. I think our kids showed a good bit of resiliency.”
Alter (5-4, 2-2) will attempt to strengthen its own postseason chances against Chaminade Julienne in the regular-season finale.
