Purcell Marian Ends Paint Valley Playoff Season

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The 2024 OHSAA Football Playoffs were short-lived for the Paint Valley Bearcats as they fell at home Friday to Cincinnati Purcell Marian 34-21.

The Cavaliers compiled 363 total yards to the Bearcats’ 215. PM running back Justin Thomas ran for 151 yards on 23 carries, scoring touchdowns on a 73 yard kickoff return and a 52 yard sprint from scrimmage.

Paint Valley senior Braylon Robertson closed out his illustrious career, scoring two touchdowns on runs of 39 and 1 yard. He had just 66 yards on 16 carries Friday, but also surpassed 5,000 rushing yards in his 3-year career with the Bearcats, before leaving late in the game when re-injuring his ankle.

In a post game interview on Litter Media RADIO, Robertson praised the Bearcats up front. “I give all the credit to my O-Line… I couldn’t do anything without these dudes, I love ’em.”

The lone negative for Purcell Marian was their 13 penalties for 130 yards.

The game see-sawed back and forth in the first quarter-and-a-half, with both teams trading scores. Paint Valley has short-lived lead of 7-6, before the Cavaliers scored three unanswered touchdowns for a 28-14 halftime advantage.

The Bearcats scored on a 41 yard halfback option pass from Carson Free to Drez Bolin at 3:16 remaining in the contest to cut the deficit to 28-21, but Purcell Marian scored on their next play from scrimmage when Justin Thomas ran 52 yards for the game-breaker at 34-21.

(6-5) Purcell Marian advances to Round 2 of the playoffs, while Paint Valley closed their season at (7-4).

All four of the Scioto Valley Conference teams lost Friday, with SVC Champion Unioto dropping a 28-21 decision at home to West Holmes. Zane Trace lost to Fairland 31-7, and Piketon dropped a 24-7 decision to Columbus Academy.