Hilliard Bradley lost to defending Division I state champion Olentangy Orange on Friday, Oct. 16, blowing a 21-13 fourth-quarter lead at home in the OHSAA Central Ohio Game of the Week.
The Pioneers outscored the Jaguars 24-7 in the final period to claim the comeback victory, according to The Delaware Source. The final score was reported as 37-28 by The Delaware Source, while MaxPreps listed the result as 35-28. Both outlets credited Orange with the win.
The loss stings for a Bradley team that controlled the game for three quarters. Orange jumped ahead 7-0 early, but the Jaguars answered and carried a 14-13 lead into halftime, according to The Delaware Source. Bradley stretched that advantage to 21-13 entering the fourth quarter before the Pioneers' late surge.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association and Spectrum News 1 had selected the matchup as one of three featured games broadcast statewide on Friday night.
Entering the game, Bradley sat fourth in the OHSAA Division I Region 2 computer ratings at 5-3, positioning the Jaguars for a first-round playoff bye, according to Stateline Sports Network. Orange, at 4-4, was 13th in Region 3 and outside the playoff picture, according to Spectrum News 1. Only the top 12 teams in each region qualify for the postseason, and the top four seeds earn a first-round bye.
The defeat drops Bradley to 5-4 overall and 1-3 in Ohio Capital Conference play, according to MaxPreps. The Jaguars have now lost two straight after falling 28-14 at Olentangy Liberty on Oct. 9. Before that, Bradley edged crosstown rival Hilliard Davidson 13-10 in overtime on Oct. 2.
Bradley's playoff positioning hinges on the final OHSAA computer ratings, set for release Oct. 25. The first round of regional playoffs begins Oct. 30.
The Jaguars close the regular season Friday, Oct. 23, at Dublin Coffman. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
