Cedarville’s late touchdown runs secure conference-opening victory over Paris
Cedarville 35, Paris 21
CEDARVILLE — Cedarville answered Paris’ first lead with 20 unanswered points, using long touchdown runs and repeated fourth-down stops to secure a 35-21 victory Friday night in the teams’ conference opener.
The Pirates improved to 4-0 on military appreciation night. Paris quarterback Josh Honea threw two touchdown passes to Harley Barnhill and scored on a two-yard keeper that briefly put the Eagles ahead 21-15 in the third quarter.
Cedarville struck on its third offensive play. Daniel Ramirez took a handoff through the middle and broke free for a touchdown with 11:06 remaining in the opening quarter. A successful two-point run made it 8-0. Ramirez also recorded a sack on Paris’ ensuing possession.
The Eagles answered that pressure with a third-down touchdown pass from Honea to Barnhill. Barnhill worked past a defender after the catch, then kicked the extra point to cut the margin to 8-7 with 7:23 left.
Cedarville added another touchdown and extra point with 52 seconds remaining in the quarter for a 15-7 lead. Its defense then delivered a goal-line stand early in the second, stopping a completed fourth-down pass inches short of the end zone.
Landon Robberson helped Paris move the ball with consecutive first-down runs during that possession. The Eagles also received a first-down catch from Ty Farmer on a later drive, while Nicholas Perry pressured Cedarville’s quarterback into an incompletion as Paris forced a punt before halftime.
Honea and Barnhill connected again with 1:07 remaining in the half. Robberson picked up a blitzer, allowing Honea to roll right and throw into the end zone. Barnhill elevated for the catch and added the extra point, bringing Paris within 15-14. Joel Johnson’s third-down stop helped preserve that score through halftime.
Paris opened the third quarter with a scoring drive that consumed more than four minutes. Barnhill contributed a third-down reception near the goal line, and Honea finished with his two-yard run behind Robberson’s block. Barnhill’s kick gave Paris its first lead with 7:54 remaining.
Cedarville responded 47 seconds later. A long kickoff return set up a short field, and the Pirates scored on a 10-yard run around the edge. Paris blocked the extra point, keeping the game tied 21-21.
Farmer converted fourth-and-14 with a comeback-route reception on the next possession, but Cedarville eventually held on downs. The Pirates then broke a third-and-nine pitch into a touchdown with 1:54 left in the quarter for a 27-21 advantage.
Ramirez batted down a pass during another fourth-quarter defensive stand. Cedarville subsequently converted fourth down near its own 23 before breaking a 66-yard touchdown run with 6:11 remaining. A two-point pass completed the scoring.
Dalton Farnam made a first-down reception on Paris’ next possession, and Farmer added two first-down catches during the final minute. Cedarville ended both possessions on downs, with Eli Daniel providing coverage on the final incompletion before the Pirates knelt out the clock.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Cedarville – Daniel Ramirez touchdown run up the middle (two-point run good), Cedarville 8, Paris 0. 11:06.
Paris – Harley Barnhill touchdown pass from Josh Honea (Barnhill kick), Cedarville 8, Paris 7. 7:23.
Cedarville – Touchdown (kick good), Cedarville 15, Paris 7. 0:52.
2nd Quarter
Paris – Harley Barnhill touchdown pass from Honea (Barnhill kick), Cedarville 15, Paris 14. 1:07.
3rd Quarter
Paris – Josh Honea two-yard touchdown run (Barnhill kick), Paris 21, Cedarville 15. 7:54.
Cedarville – 10-yard touchdown run around the edge (kick blocked), Cedarville 21, Paris 21. 7:07.
Cedarville – Touchdown run on a third-and-nine pitch (two-point run unsuccessful), Cedarville 27, Paris 21. 1:54.
4th Quarter
Cedarville – 66-yard touchdown run (two-point pass good), Cedarville 35, Paris 21. 6:11.
Players Who Stood Out
Daniel Ramirez, Cedarville — Scored the opening rushing touchdown on the Pirates’ third offensive play. Recorded a sack on Paris’ first possession and batted down a fourth-quarter pass during a defensive stand.
Eli Daniel, Cedarville — Made two open-field tackles on third-quarter completions that prevented longer gains. Provided coverage on Paris’ final fourth-down incompletion with 19.4 seconds remaining.
Josh Honea, Paris — Threw two touchdown passes to Harley Barnhill and scored on a two-yard keeper to give Paris a 21-15 third-quarter lead. Also completed a fourth-and-14 pass to Ty Farmer.
Harley Barnhill, Paris — Caught two touchdown passes and kicked all three Paris extra points. Made a third-down reception near the goal line during the Eagles’ third-quarter scoring drive and stopped a long Cedarville kickoff return near the Paris 45.
Ty Farmer, Paris — Converted fourth-and-14 with a third-quarter comeback-route reception. Added two first-down catches during Paris’ final possession and returned the second-half opening kickoff to approximately the Eagles’ 40.