Turnovers Costly as Indians’ Season Ends in 2nd Round of TSSAA Playoffs at York

It was a rematch of week seven from the regular season on tap Friday night as the Indians would travel west to Jamestown to take on the state’s number one ranked team in Class 2A in the Dragons of York Institute. Oneida knew they had a tall task at hand in front of them but were ready for the challenge. Unfortunately, early turnovers would plague the Indians from the start as York would take advantage, scoring 21 fi rst quarter points on their way to a 34-7 win over the Indians. The loss ends Oneida’s season with an overall record of 8-4.Oneida would receive the opening kickoff, but a fumble on the return would give the ball to York on Oneida’s 30-yard line. Six plays later, Dragons’ quarterback Miles Leffew would take it in himself from two yards out for the fi rst score of the game. Jorge Soto’s PAT was good, giving York an early 7-0 lead. The Indians would get a fi rst down on their next drive, but another fum-ble was lost as York would pounce and take over on Oneida’s 38-yard line. The following play saw Riylin Miller use the jet sweep to take it 38 yards to the endzone for another quick score. Soto’s extra point was good, extending the lead to 14-0 midway through the fi rst. After an Oneida three-and-out, the Indians would have to punt, but the snap would sail over the head of Rector as he would have to simply down the ball at the OHS six-yard line. Three plays later, Leffew would score his second TD of the game from one yard out. Soto would convert the PAT and York led 21-0 after one.The Indians would be held to another three-and-out that carried to the second quarter. This time, the punt would fl ip fi elds as York would begin the drive on their own 26-yard line. After picking up a fi rst down to the Dragon 38-yard line, Leffew would keep on another misdirection as he would scamper 62 yards for another York touchdown. Soto’s PAT was good and the lead grew to 28-0 over the Indians. The rest of the quarter was mostly quiet until York’s next drive. On a second down from the Indians’ 27-yard line, Josh Cole would force a fumble as Levi James would scoop and return it all the way back to the York 37-yard line, giving the Indians another scoring op-portunity before half. After having a touchdown called back on a pass from Rector to Aiden Frazier for him losing his helmet, the Indians would have it fi rst and goal from the fi ve. It took all four plays but a handoff to Jesse Zachary looked to be stopped short, but the quick thinking of QB1 Rector saw him pull the ball from Zachary and sneak into the endzone for an Indian touchdown as the clock expired. Justyn Lynch’s PAT was good, and Oneida trailed 28-7 at the break.Oneida would kickoff to start the second half. An onside kick from Lynch would be touched by York’s Michael Wall and recovered by the Indians’ Levi James, continuing Oneida’s momentum into the third. Unfortunately, it would not come with points as the third quarter would go quietly by with neither team scoring. The fourth saw York carry possession over and out together a game-sealing 10 play, 47-yard drive capped by Miles Leffew’s fourth TD of the game, this one a run from four yards out. Soto’s PAT was no good, but York would end the Indians’ season with the 34-7 loss.Oneida tallied just 50 yards of offense in the game. Zander Lowe led the way on the ground with seven carries for 16 yards. Cole Meredith added 10 yards on fi ve carries. Caden Rector had 35 yards and the touchdown but was hit with loss of yardage due to the bad punt snap and a few sacks. Rector fi nished 6-8 through the air for 28 yards. Aiden Frazier had one catch for 15 with Levi James hauling in one pass for 10 yards. Landon Limburg also had one reception for eight yards. Defensively, Ben Gilbert led the way with 13 total tackles (three solo) with a tackle for loss. Braden Burchfi eld added eight total tackles (three solo). Both Levi James and Josh Cole chipped in with six total tackles. James had a fumble recovery and an onside kick recovery while Cole had a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.The loss ends the season for the Indians as they say farewell to seniors Ca-den Rector, TJ Meredith, Landon Limburg, Josh Cole, Dalton Claborn, Will King, and Hayden Brawner. This senior class fi nishes their tenure with the Indians with a four-year record of 25-21 including a TSSAA Playoff quarter-final berth in 2021.