PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Lake Catholic drove down the field and nearly scored on its opening possession Friday night against Glenville in the OHSAA Division IV regional semifinals at Riverside High School.
Once junior safety C.J. Newell intercepted a pass at the goal line, the Cougars never came closer to scoring again.
Newell’s play provide the first of five interceptions, including four in the first quarter, to lead Glenville’s 28-0 shutout of Lake Catholic. The Tarblooders (10-3), seeded fifth in Region 13, advance to face second-seeded Perry (12-1) next week in the regional finals.
Against the top-seeded Cougars (12-1), Glenville took the lead with Aaron Scales’ interception that he ran back for an 85-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Newell added a short-yardage touchdown run for a 13-point halftime lead.
Newell rushed for 87 yards and one score on 15 carries. Sophomore Romell Phillips added 94 yards, all in the second half, with two TDs on nine carries. The two-time defending state champions rushed for 271 yards, but gained 248 yards in total offense counting two sacks and negative yardage in the passing game.
They forced six turnovers, including those five interceptions by Newell, Scales, freshmen Jaylen Edwards, Jaquan Gibson and senior Isaiah McCullum.
Lake Catholic finished with 71 yards. Senior quarterback Frankie Trinetti completed 9 of 32 passes for 89 yards.
Glenville, a week after committing 19 penalties for more than 170 yards, had seven infractions for 60 yards. The Tarblooders did not commit a turnover.
See their performance in the video above and hear from Newell, Scales, coach Ted Ginn Sr., junior linebacker Cincere Johnson and senior defensive end Di’Marion Gill.
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on X (@mgoul), Threads (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]).