Dublin Scioto fell 20-7 at Delaware Hayes on Friday, Oct. 9, its sixth consecutive loss, dropping the Irish to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in OCC-Capital Division play.
The Irish led 7-0 after the first quarter. Quarterback Liam Rinehart hit receiver Michael Galloway on a 49-yard touchdown pass, and Graeme Nelson added the extra point with 2:12 left in the opening period, according to the Delaware Gazette.
Scioto's defense kept the lead intact through halftime despite two Irish turnovers. Hayes' Malik Salem recovered a fumble near midfield in the first half, but Scioto stuffed a run on fourth-and-one to get the ball back.
Caleb Christian intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, setting up the Pacers inside the 30-yard line. Dublin Scioto's Isaiah Jones blocked Chase Sims' 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the half, preserving the 7-0 lead.
The game turned in a 76-second stretch of the third quarter.
Hayes defensive back Zander Armstrong jumped a pass and returned the interception 42 yards for a touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 with 6:36 left in the period.
After the Pacer defense forced a three-and-out, running back Gunnar Oldaker broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run with 5:20 remaining in the third, giving Hayes a 14-7 lead it would not surrender.
Hayes quarterback Xavier Angle connected with Kee Felton on a 35-yard scoring pass in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
The loss dropped the Irish to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in OCC-Capital play, seventh in the division standings. Scioto's lone win came in Week 2, a 42-36 victory over Briggs on Aug. 28. Since then, the Irish have fallen to New Albany (56-7), Westerville South (21-0), Worthington Kilbourne (49-20), Westland (49-14), St. Charles (14-12) and Delaware Hayes (20-7). Through eight games, Scioto has been outscored 275-130.
Hayes improved to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play, snapping a five-game losing streak of its own.
The Irish return home Friday, Oct. 16, to host Big Walnut at 7 p.m. in an OCC-Capital Division game. Scioto closes the regular season Friday, Oct. 23, at Westerville North at 7 p.m.
