ST. BERNARD, Ohio - The Roger Bacon Football team earned its 7th consecutive trip to the OHSAA Playoffs after an exciting 21-19 win over longtime rival and conference foe Purcell Marian this past Friday night. The Spartans (5-5, 2-1 MVC) earned the 9 seed in the OHSAA playoffs and will travel to Wyoming (9-1, 6-1 CHL) this Friday for a 7 PM kickoff.

"Playoffs 7 years in a row was never something I ever thought possible when I took the job, but we have been blessed with some outstanding kids and coaches." Roger Bacon Head Football Coach Mike Blaut said. "We could never have done it without the support of everyone involved in the program. It has been an incredible run."

After taking over the football program in 2015, the football team would win just 6 games in his first two seasons, but each season the program would continue to improve. In 2017 and 2018 the Spartans would improve their win total from 3 to 4 and see their team participation numbers climb. The Spartans would finally get over the hump in 2019 when they finished the regular season 9-1, going 4-0 in the MVC to clinch their first conference championship since the 2005 season when Roger Bacon won the GCL. That season the Spartans won their first playoff game since 2010. The Spartans had one of their best seasons in program history the following season in 2020 when they finished the regular season undefeated and repeat as MVC Champions and would earn the program's first Regional Championship and earn their first ever Final Four berth. Roger Bacon Football legend Corey Kiner would be named 2020 Mr. Ohio Football.

After the 2020 season, Roger Bacon would win the MVC title in 2021 and 2022, and since then have continued to qualify for the playoffs in each season since 2019.

The Spartans would go into this year's week 10 game at 4-5 needing a win over longtime rival Purcell Marian to qualify for the OHSAA DIV playoffs. They would open the game by recovering a Purcell Marian pooch kickoff and then score a few plays later on a TD run by Ja'Mere Mitchell. RB would extend that lead to 14-0 before Purcell would make a comeback to make it a 14-13 game. Roger Bacon's Bubba Smart would connect with Evan Otto for a 70 yard TD pass to give RB the 21-13 lead. Purcell would later score, but would fumble the 2 PT conversion. Roger Bacon's defense came up big late in the 4th quarter to stop Purcell in their tracks to pull away with a 21-19 playoff clinching win.

"There is NOTHING better than beating Purcell," Blaut said. "The storied history between the two programs in incredible so to beat them in a close, very competitive game, is extra special. Not only did we make the playoffs, but we were able to keep them from making the playoffs, although they were deserving of a spot. We were so happy for the seniors to experience a huge win on senior night, vs our rivals, is something these kids will never forget." The Roger Bacon Football senior class finished their careers being 3-1 in games against Purcell.

The Spartans have looked to their senior class to step up and continue the program's success this season. 17 seniors is one of the most senior heavy classes the football program has had in recent years. "This senior class has been special. One of my favorites of all time, " Blaut said. "Their commitment to the team this year from the weight room, to practice, to their day-to-day attitudes have been a pleasure to be around. They will definitely be missed whenever the season comes to an end."

Blaut gave props some of the players on the team who have stepped up as leaders this season.

"The leaders of this team have been consistent all year. Our 4 captains Max Hoffmann, Joe Coleman, Bubba Smart, and Ja'mere Mitchell have done a great job in being the face of the leaders. Many others have stepped up with how they go about their daily business. De'Vion Gipson, Jaden Tiller, Liam Vargo, Christian Byrd, Tom Bedinghaus and Hunter Pauley have taken on roles of leading by example. They maintained the focus that we were going to the playoffs no matter what."

Roger Bacon will hit the road for the playoffs this season when they travel to Wyoming this Friday. This is the first time Roger Bacon and Wyoming have played each other in Football since the 2010 playoffs when Roger Bacon defeated Wyoming 26-21 in the opening round of the 2010 playoffs at Bron Bacevich Memorial Stadium in the final minutes.

"Our mindset going into the game is very positive and upbeat," Blaut said about the team's mindset ahead of Friday's game. "We know what Wyoming has with a 9-1 record, but we have had a much tougher road to get to the playoffs than they have. Iron sharpens iron, and are schedule has been brutal this season, so our kids know they can't do anything to us we haven't seen."

Fans can get tickets for Friday's playoff game at Click Here

2025 Roger Bacon Football Schedule with results
Friday, August 22nd - 30-7 loss at Indian Hill
Friday, August 29th - 42-0 win vs Western Hills
Friday, September 5th - 35-8 win vs Hughes
Friday, September 12th - 26-0 loss at McNicholas
Friday, September 19th - 42-22 win vs New Richmond
Friday, September 26th - 37-13 loss at Danville (IND.)
Friday, October 3rd - 27-13 loss vs Williamsburg
Friday, October 10th - 41-13 win at Summit
Friday, October 17th - 36-21 loss at CHCA
Friday, October 24th - 21-19 win vs Purcell Marian

2025 Wyoming Football Schedule with results
Friday, August 22nd - 24-21 win at Ross
Friday, August 29th - 49-16 win at Purcell Marian
Friday, September 5th - 34-27 win vs Monroe
Friday, September 12th - 28-7 loss vs Indian Hill
Friday, September 19th - 42-13 win vs Taylor
Friday, September 26th - 49-24 win at Mariemont
Friday, October 3rd - 42-14 win vs Madeira
Friday, October 10th - 49-13 win at Finneytown
Friday, October 17th - 49-13 win at Reading
Friday, October 24th - 42-22 win at Deer Park