Friday, Oct. 4, the Varsity football team played in the well-anticipated week seven against the Olentangy Liberty Patriots. The #4 Golden Bears (5-1) were slight underdogs to the #2 Liberty Patriots (5-1) according to city rankings on 270 Gridiron.
Starting quarterback Kyle Cox gave his thoughts on the rivalry.
“I’d say Liberty is our biggest [rival],” said Cox.
From the defense, starting middle linebacker Jason Milo agrees with Cox.
“Definitely, as of lately, I’d say they’re our biggest rival,” said Milo.
Cox gave strong reasoning for the rivalry toward this team and school.
“The rivalry meant a lot, we’re friends with a lot of those guys, friends of friends with some of those guys. Especially after losing the last two years, seeing them win on our field and then losing one in over-time at their place. It meant a lot,” said Cox.
The match-up was well-awaited as the Bears had a chance to avenge their past two losses in seasons prior.
The game lived up to expectations. Down by 12 with 6:38 to go, the Bears got the ball back and eventually pulled back into a 31-28 win.
Once the Bears scored a touchdown and PAT to put them down by five, they elected to kick the ball away, trusting their defense would make a stop.
As the momentum shifted in the Bears favor, there was one specific moment late in the game that brought everyone in attendance to a halt. Milo and Cox both agree this was the play that solidified their victory when they were down with a short time to go.
“As soon as we stopped them on fourth down and got the ball back, I knew we were gonna be able to drive down the field and score,” said Cox.
Following that play came a successful touchdown and two-point conversion. The road back that started as a two-possession game, turned into a three-point lead with 54 seconds left.
Milo also gave his perspective.
“When we got that fourth-down stop, and at that moment when the offense had the ball, I knew our two-minute offense was going to get it done. I mean, Trent just went up, did his thing. Kyle threw a great ball. I mean they were clicking, and it was, it was just a beautiful way to end the game,” said Milo.
The team had gotten progressively better, putting themselves in a good spot for week seven with five straight wins on their back. With pressure to win, there was overwhelming tension in the stadium from the players, coaches and spectators.
“Liberty definitely has a target on their back for a lot of us guys. Especially the lacrosse guys after they won a state championship last year and lost to them in football. I mean, there was just a lot of emotion going into that game, a lot of excitement,” Milo said.
On the other hand, the environment was also a great addition to the football game.
“We knew there was gonna be a lot of people there. Student section was loud so it was just, it was a good time before the game. It was a good atmosphere so it was fun,” Cox explained.
The large student section had a whiteout theme, along with the black and gold jerseys the Golden Bears players were wearing.
During halftime, gold-colored powder packs were sold as a part of a fundraiser called “Bearing Hope” which is a local nonprofit organization that raises money for childhood cancer. The packets were then simultaneously thrown in the air, creating a gold arrangement of powder.
This game was nothing short of proof of the team’s integrity and ability to finish the game in big moments. Milo shows his confidence in his team and explains how this was only a regular season game and there are now bigger plans in mind for the Upper Arlington Golden Bears football program.
“It was just extremely exciting for all of us, but we have to put that behind us as we enter the final stretches of our regular season and as playoffs approach. Our focus is the playoffs now.”