SPRINGBORO — Mattias Brunicardi, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 210 pound running back, rushed for 229 yards on 39 carries for three touchdowns Friday to help lead Springboro to a 28-13 victory over visiting Northmont.
The Panthers amassed 380 total yards, nearly double the Thunderbolts total of 192.
With the victory Springboro remains tied with Springfield for first place in the Greater Western Ohio Conference with identical 2-0 conference marks. The Panthers are 4-1 overall while the Wildcats are 3-2.
Northmont fell to 1-1 in the GWOC and 2-3 overall and are in a four-way tie for second place along with Beavercreek, Fairmont, and Centerville. Beavercreek improved to 3-2 overall with a 19-10 victory over Miamisburg.
Springfield defeated Centerville 17-3 and Fairmont whipped Wayne 43-22. Northmont hosts Wayne this Friday night in what will prove to be a heated contest between two schools that despise each other. That game will make or break the Thunderbolts’ season.
Springboro’s defense limited Northmont running back Calilien Grant to 32 yards on 12 carries (2.7 yards per attempt) and one touchdown.
Quarterback Brady Lupton accounted for the majority of Northmont’s yardage rushing for 61 yards on 13 carries (4.7 avg.) and completed nine of 17 pass attempts for 75 yards with one TD and one pick.
The Panthers took a 7-0 lead on a three yard Brunicardi run followed by Jay Greenberg’s kick with 2:38 left in the first quarter. Northmont tied the game on a 12 pass from Lupton to Daniel Ivory and the extra-point by Colby Barr at 11:04 in the second quarter.
Springboro took a 21-7 lead on a four yard Brunicardi run and on an offensive fumble recovery by Aidan Weimer in the end zone followed by two Greenberg kicks.
Grant scored on a three yard run early in the fourth quarter to cut the Panthers’ lead to 21-13. Brunicardi scored on a two yard run with 2:04 left and Greenberg added the point after to make the final tally 28-13.
Reach Ron Nunnari at (937) 684-9124 or email [email protected].