TIFFIN - The third time was a charm for Ottawa-Glandorf's football team Saturday night at Tiffin National Stadium.
After losing in their two previous trips to Tiffin in the Division IV state football playoffs, Saturday night the Titans were able to come home winners.
Ottawa-Glandorf scored a late touchdown, then came up with an interception to beat Orrville 21-20 in the Division IV, Region 14 regional finals. The win sends O-G (11-2) into the state semi-finals next Saturday against Chagrin Falls. The site for the game will be announced Sunday by the OHSAA, although reports have the game being played in Fremont.
This is the Titans first trip to the state semi-finals in football.
Most of this Division IV regional final was a defensive struggle as Orrville and O-G struggled on offense all night long.
The Red Riders and Titans entered the fourth quarter tied 14-14 before took a 20-14 lead with 5:57 left when Joseph Besancon hit Chase Hoobler with a 17 yard scoring pass. The extra point attempt was blocked by O-G's Brian Laubenthal giving the Red Riders a six point lead.
The Titans came right back as they drove 67 yards in five plays as junior quarterback Nathan Kahle hit Ryan Kuhlman with a 27 yard scoring strike. Four of the five plays were passes as Kuhlman set up the score by catching an 18 yard pass and Craig Rieman had a 15 yard catch and run to start the drive.
Mike Bendele added the extra point giving the Titans a one point lead.
The Red Riders took over at their own 19 and picked up a first down converting a fourth down pass play. On the next play, the Titans Logan Kaufman stepped back into coverage and picked off a pass sealing the Titans win.
O-G forced three turnovers in the game, including a pair of interceptions.
Orrville took the lead midway through the second quarter as Hoobler and Besancon hooked up an 18 yard scoring pass with 6:35 left in the second quarter.
The Titans came right back with a 10 play scoring drive as Logan Kaufman finished off the drive with a four yard scoring run.
The Red Riders came right back to get the lead going to halftime as T'ontre Simpson scored on a one yard run after hauling in a pass play that took the ball to the one.
Ottawa-Glandorf tied the game with 3:26 left in the third quarter as Ryan Kuhlman caught a 35 yard scoring pass from Kahle. A Laubenthal interception set up the drive as he picked off his 10th pass of the season.
Just before O-G took the lead the Titans missed a 31 yard field goal attempt. On their first drive of the game the Titans came up short of the endzone as Brandon Kuhlman was stopped at the four yard line as the Titans tried to convert a fouth and long play.