It was a great finish to a high school football game, as Ian Anderson blocked an Arcanum field goal attempt to preserve a week ten victory for Bethel, and giving them a 7-3 record on the season.

But despite winning their last four games, the Bees finished one spot out of making the OHSAA state playoffs, finishing ninth in their region, with the top eight making the post season.

Even with that disappointment, the Bees coach Scott Clodfelter was happy at how well his kids performed despite not getting the nod for week 11.

“We are excited to be 7-3 after going 5-5 last season, and our goal was to have a winning season,” Clodfelter said. “It has been (several years) since we have been 7-3, so the excitement around the program was there. We had five wins at home, and it was good to get the home fans excited about football.”

“Hopefully our record will help us build the program and get some more kids interested in Bethel football and will come out for the team in the future.”

The Bees won their first three games of the season, before falling to Miami East, Covington and Tri County North to stand 3-3, before winning their final four.

“I hope this kind of season will help propel us to the next level,” Clodfelter added. “Our numbers are not what other schools are, so we need a good off-season and use this kind of season for the future.”

Seven wins was nice, but there was no secret that missing out on the playoffs was disappointing to this group, including the players and staff.

“It was disappointing and bitter sweet on Friday even with the big win wondering if we were in the playoffs,” he said. “Most of the time seven wins will get it done but this time it didn’t.”

One of the teams on the Bees schedule only played nine OHSAA games, and had they played one more game, Bethel likely would have had enough point to get in.

“When you make the playoffs that’s when people notice, but we need to focus on the positives.”

Leading the way for the Bees this year was Anderson, who stepped up in some big games.

“He was a man possessed the last half of the season,” Clodfelter said. “The great thing about our last game was all of our seniors did something great in that last game to get us the win. Ian blocked the field goal at the end, Tyler Terry made that 35-yard field goal and he has never made a field goal in his life, Alex Allen had some nice blocks, Noah Burrowes had some nice runs.”

He also mentioned Nate Rimkus, who ran for over 1,000 yards this season including over 150 against Arcanum. Also Jacob Evans is a junior who according to Clodfelter was the stabilizer of the offense this year from the quarterback spot.

He mentioned that along with Evans, the entire line is back next season with Hunter Shelley, Kellen Calhoun, Zac McCarroll and Dillon Kelley.

“We will have to replace some skilled kids and that will be a tall task, but I think we will be ok.”

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