Glen Este, Goshen, and Amelia were Clermont County’s triumphant teams during the opening week of the high school varsity football campaign.
Glen Este became the first county team to compete in the Crosstown Showdown and did the county proud by returning home with a 28-7 victory over Ryle, Ky. The Trojans were gracious enough to spot the Raiders the first touchdown of the game to trail 7-0 after the first 12 minutes, but came back to tie it on the last play of the first half and then led 17-7 going into the final period. Donnie Talbott scored three of the winners’ TDs on a two-yard pass from Andrew Keller and on runs of 48 and two yards. Kyle Slater added the other six-pointer on a nine-yard rush. Patrick Harder successfully kicked all four conversion points. Talbott carried the ball 13 times for 90 yards and Slater 14 for 73. Alex Meagher blocked a Ryle punt attempt and defensive back Matt Weingartner was noted for his outstanding defensive performance. GE had 258 yards rushing and 58 passing while holding the Kentuckians to 84 yards.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said Zak Taylor, head coach of the Purple and White. “The conditions on the field were rough. It had to be over 100-degress down on the field