Bishop Watterson quarterback Drew Bellisari went 13-for-18 passing with 263 yards and three touchdowns. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Julie Wright-Daniel)
Spurred by two blocked punt return touchdowns, the Eagles beat the Red Devils 43-9 and will look to capture their second consecutive Division III state title next Friday against Toledo Central Catholic.
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Mason, OH – As would be expected considering it now holds the state’s longest current winning streak at 29, Watterson has made it a common practice of corralling long offensive plays and bludgeoning teams defensively typically in blowout fashion.
The special teams’ unit was intent on not getting overshadowed as the Eagles’ added to their run Friday at Mason with a 43-9 victory over Tippecanoe in a Division III state semifinal.
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Returning two blocked punts for touchdowns is just the latest highlight for a program that will look to win its second consecutive state title at 3 p.m. Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
“We’ve been working super hard on special teams all week and have been hammering home that special teams wins games,” junior Joe Hayes said. “That was super evident in this game. It’s the little things that win games. We pride ourselves on winning state championships, and it’s an honor to be back (in the state final). Hopefully we’ll win another one.”
Watterson will get a third consecutive state-final matchup against Toledo Central Catholic, which survived to beat Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 21-20 in a state semifinal. The Fighting Irish beat the Eagles 27-7 in the 2023 state title game but lost 19-14 in the rematch last year.
On the second play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Drew Bellisari hooked up with senior Jack McCoy over the middle for what turned into a 70-yard touchdown reception.
Watterson, which finished 16-0 last season, is 13-0—with its last 11 wins all ending with the game on a running clock.
Lewistown Indian Valley won last year’s Division IV state title and also was on a 28-game winning streak heading into its state semifinal but lost to Cleveland Glenville on Friday.
“They’re focused, and they understand what they need to do,” Eagles coach Brian Kennedy said. “They’re locked in. (Winning) 29 games in a row is crazy, but if it’s not 30, they’re going to be really disappointed.
“I thought our defense played great all night long. We’ve still got to improve (on special teams), but when you can score two touchdowns on blocked punt returns, that’s a difference maker. I’m glad we’ve done everything we could to have a chance to go back (to the state final).”
Watterson had a two-touchdown lead less than three minutes into the game against Tippecanoe, which finished 13-1 and was making its second state semifinal appearance in four seasons.
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On the second play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Drew Bellisari hooked up with senior Jack McCoy over the middle for what turned into a 70-yard touchdown reception.
After forcing the Red Devils into a three-plays-and-out first possession, Ben Uhlenhake blocked a punt and fell on it in the end zone to make it 14-0 with 9:07 to go in the first quarter.
Watterson’s Joe Hayes intercepted two passes in the win over the Red Devils.
Tippecanoe drove from its own 38 to the Watterson 7 on its next possession, with Owen Baileys kicking a 24-yard field goal to make it 14-3 with 2:43 left in the opening period.
“We gave everything we had,” Tippecanoe coach Matt Burgbacher said. “The difference in the ball game was the little things. Watterson executed those little things better than we did. You look at the first half, and they had one big play and the blocked punt. Our defense was playing great. For our guys, offensively we just needed a first down and we got into rhythm.
“Region 12 was a gauntlet. Coming out of there and your reward is Bishop Watterson, but again we want to play the best because we want to be the best, and they still are. Hopefully we’ll be back next year.”
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The Eagles forced Tippecanoe into fourth-and-5 from its own 37 on the first drive of the third period, but the Red Devils attempted a fake punt that went for (minus)-2 yards.
Watterson turned the short field into another score, with junior Caden Mangini running in from 1 yard to make it 21-3 with 7:42 left in the third period.
Tippecanoe’s Xavier Melton is upended by a couple of Watterson defenders.
The Eagles forced another three-and-out on the next possession, and Uhlenhake blocked another punt that was picked up by Carter Baldwin for another touchdown that gave Watterson a 28-3 lead.
“We definitely faced some adversity in the first half, and some things that didn’t go our way and made a lot of mistakes, but in the second half we came out and came together,” Bellisari said. “It’s our mentality, and all the hard work we put in during the week. We go after it in practice.
“We just want to take this into next week. We’ve got to go 1-0 one more time and leave it all out there.”
Bellisari hooked up with Hayes for a 16-yard touchdown with 2:12 to go in the third quarter for a 35-3 lead.
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It was part of a big week for Bellisari, who finished 13-for-18 passing for 263 yards and three touchdowns after verbally committing to Miami University on Monday. Bellisari started at safety during Watterson’s state runner-up run and has started every game at quarterback the last two seasons.
His final touchdown went for 23 yards to junior Ben Lamielle with 5:06 to go for a 41-3 lead.
Tipp’s Grant Titley stretches for the goal line, setting up Xavier Melton’s short TD run.
Tippecanoe scored its only touchdown with 56 seconds to go as senior Xavier Melton ran in from 1 yard for his 25th score of the season on the ground.
Watterson limited Tippecanoe to 43 yards rushing, with Hayes intercepting two passes and junior Carter Bellisari adding an interception as well.
Junior defensive lineman Michael Boyle, a two-time state wrestling champion who has committed to Ohio State, added two sacks and a tackle for loss for the Eagles.
“We’ve got the best coaches in the state,” Boyle said. “We also work really hard on top of that. With those two combinations, it’s hard to go wrong. I’m super proud of the work we’ve put in and I’m excited to prove it one more time on Friday.”
Tippecanoe takes the field for its state semifinal game against Watterson.
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