Academy Late Rally Ends Piketon's Unbeaten Season

Presented By Atomic Speedway

The Piketon Redstreaks saw their playoff run end Saturday, falling to Columbus Academy 30-22 in Round 2 of Division 5 Football Playoff action at Piketon.

The Redstreaks fell behind when Academy starting quarterback Henry Rubey took a three yard TD run to the end-zone at 9:14 of the first quarter for a Vikings 7-0 lead.

Piketon came back in a hurry to take an 8-7 lead when Levi Gullion fired a 70 yard TD strike to John Burton. The two point conversion was also good at 5:31 of the first quarter.

(Photo: Levi Gullion drops back to throw vs Columbus Academy/Litter Media- Mike Smith)

An onside kick was recovered by Piketon, who then scored again when Gullion found Burton on a 43 yard TD pass. The two point try saw Gullion run it in for a 16-7 Redstreaks lead at 5:11 of the first quarter.

Less than two minutes later, Academy scored when Rubey ran for a 13 yard score followed by the PAT 2 pointer, cutting Piketon’s lead to 16-15 at 2:33 of first quarter.

Academy lost starting quarterback Henry Rubey due to an injury in the second quarter, but replaced him for the rest of the game.

With Vikings moving down the field for a posible go-ahead score, Levi Gullion intercepted a Whitney pass at the Redstreaks 18 yard line. Piketon would proceed to drive down the field and score on a Gullion one yard run, but the two point conversion failed. leaving Piketon up 22-15 lead with 3:47 of first half.

Academy came down the field in a hurry, but a potential tying TD pass was dropped in the end-zone to end the half.

The play of the game was a 33 yard pick-six by Academy’s Harold Hacker with 27 seconds left in the third quarter. The PAT kick tied Piketon 22-22.

The Vikings mounted their eventual winning drive and saw Drake Bellisari’s two yard run for a TD, then a two point conversion pass to Harper Logan put them up 30-22 with 4:56 left in the game.

The Redstreaks had one last gasp attempt and drove to the Academy side of the field, but the Vikings defense sacked Gullion as time expired to end the game.

Piketon closes their SVC Championship season at (10-1). Academy improved to (8-3) and head to the Regional Semis.