The Padua Football team won a thrilling, back and forth game last night against Buckeye to advance to next week's OHSAA Regional Semi-Final. The game had seven lead changes, including three in the fourth quarter with the Bruins prevailing 39-34.  

Padua opened the scoring on the first play from scrimmage on a Roderick Love 53 yard touchdown run.  Buckeye scored later in the first quarter to tie the game but the Bruins took back the lead on a Riley Cervenka 30 yard touchdown reception from Nick Barker to give Padua a 13-7 lead after the first quarter. The Bucks retook the lead in the second quarter on a long touchdown drive.  The Bruins answered that drive with a touchdown by Brandon Homady on a 5 yard run to give Padua a 20-14 lead at halftime. 

Buckeye received the second half kickoff and scored on another long touchdown drive to retake the lead 21-20. The Bucks added another touchdown then the Bruins answered with a Love touchdown on a 52 yard screen pass from Barker to cut the deficit to 28-27 heading in the fourth quarter.  With Buckeye driving early in the fourth quarter, Christian Ruggiero came up with a huge interception to stop the drive and give the ball back to the Bruins. Padua drove the field and scored on a Brady Devore touchdown reception from Barker to give the Bruins a 33-28 lead.  The Bucks answered back with a touchdown to retake the lead 35-33 with two minutes remaining.  The Bruins moved down the field and Christian Ruggiero scored the winning touchdown on a 33 yard pass from Barker with 22 seconds remaining to give Padua the victory.  

Barker led the way with four touchdown passes, going 13-15 for 213 yards on the night. Love had 327 all purpose yards (263 yards rushing plus 64 yards receiving) and Ruggiero had 73 yards receiving and two interceptions.  

Padua moves on to next week's OHSAA Regional Semi-Final against Benedictine on Friday, November 15 at a neutral site, which will be announced over the weekend.