Taft football takes battle of new Division IV schools at Roger Bacon in season opener

The high school football fans in the freshly-pressure washed Bron Bacevich Stadium stands were treated to a season-opening rematch from last year on Thursday night. Only thing is, this one didn't quite go like 2021's Roger Bacon 24-20 triumph at Taft.

Loaded with several Division I recruits, Taft's Senators effectively pressured Roger Bacon's offense, outgaining them 343 yards to -70 in a 32-0 shutout. Though not an offensive masterpiece and marred by penalties (16 for 147 yards), the Senators were dominant on defense.

"We made a statement," Taft coach Tyler Williams said. "Our defense played lights out and gave up zero points. We've got to clean up some penalties and turnovers and I think we're a well-put-together football team this year. I expected us to dominate. I never tell my kids a score but I expect them to do a performance like this."

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Winners of three consecutive Miami Valley Conference-Scarlet Division championships, Roger Bacon had not been shut out since their Greater Catholic League-Coed days in 2017 when Alter blistered them 42-0.

Taft got 179 yards rushing from senior Gavin Crawford who tallied four touchdowns. Fellow senior Jahmar Richardson ran for 71 yards late and added the final nail in the coffin as time expired with a 1-yard step into the endzone.

Crawford's father also went to Taft so Thursday's quartet of touchdowns meant plenty to start his senior season. He was quick to remind that he had scored five touchdowns against Woodward last year.

"I feel like nobody can stop me," Crawford said. "I feel like I'm the best. It feels good. Very good. Especially against Roger Bacon."

Defensively, Taft sacked senior quarterback Jimmy Mumper five times and sophomore Landen Murphy once for a total of 60 yards. Senior Geneo Jackson had three of those to go along with five tackles for loss, senior linebacker Ronald Cutts had two sacks and junior four-start Division I recruit Elias Rudolph led the Senators with seven tackles and a sack.

"We've got a very talented defense," Rudolph said. "Every night we're coming to play. We're just playing for each other. This year we're kind of expecting to shut everybody out. With the talent on our defense, no team should be able to score on us. Sometimes adversity happens, but every night we're coming hard."

Senior defensive back Quinton Price added two interceptions in the first half. Thanks to the losses, Roger Bacon's final rushing total was -74 yards. Mumper completed 5-of-10 passes but just for four yards.

Roger Bacon and Taft both finished undefeated in their respective conferences last season when the Spartans knocked off the Senators in the season opener. Both teams are now Division IV, having moved up due to OHSAA's enrollment formula. It's a crowded division containing defending DIV champ Clinton-Massie, perennial playoff contender Wyoming, McNicholas, Alter and CHCA.

Based on Thursday night, Taft looks formidable and Roger Bacon may have to make some major adjustments.

Talent-wise, Taft coach Williams has assembled a stable of Division I prospects. Junior 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound edge rusher Rudolph leads the pack. Ohio State, Pitt and Clemson appear to be frontrunners with Cincinnati, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and West Virginia among other suitors. Junior receiver/defensive back Price is a three-star with offers from Kentucky, Miami University and Purdue. Senior 300-pound plus lineman Mysta Moore and Elijah Garnes also have DI offers plowing holes for the running attack that Williams learned as a player at Colerain.

"My dream is to be in the NFL," Rudolph said. "My dream is slowly coming true."

Taft also has key transfers in safety Tayshawn Banks, a senior from Colerain, and junior Jay'Quan Bostic, a 6-foot-3-inch, 180-pound prospect from Woodward. Senior Javier Ison started at quarterback Thursday as last year's starter, junior Anton Canady tore an ACL recently and is out for the season.

On the other hand, Roger Bacon, who sent Corey Kiner initially to LSU before he transferred back to UC, has no current players listed among those who publish rankings. Senior Timyone Andrew was Thursday's biggest ground gainer with 14 yards.

Both schools have challenging non-conference schedules ahead with Taft facing Wyoming next week, then Indian Hill under new coach John Rodenberg the following week.

"Wyoming's a great football team," Williams said. "We'll scout them and we'll get back to the drawing board and be ready to play those guys next week."

Roger Bacon will now have to wait for next week at Aiken for a shot at program win No. 499. That's followed by a home game with Newport Central Catholic. The Spartans will then take on old Greater Catholic League-Coed foes Badin and McNicholas before their Sept. 23 Miami Valley Conference opener vs. Norwood.

Badin appeared in the Ohio Division III title game and McNicholas was a two-point conversion away from keeping Clinton-Massie from a state title last season.