The 2025 Gridiron Classic brings two enthralling games

By Tayler Sharp

Lawlor achieved a decade of dominance against The Hill at the Gridiron Classic on Friday. The passion and excitement behind this 10-year victory streak perfectly encapsulated the nature of Cedarville’s annual flag football competitions. 

Friday night lights, enthusiastic crowds, intense rivalries: the Gridiron Classic is one of Cedarville University’s most cherished traditions. Maddox versus Printy, Lawlor versus The Hill, every year, students from each of these four halls spend the fall semester improving their flag football skills to win the Gridiron Classic. 

The Gridiron Classic raises plentiful excitement among Cedarville students on and off the field. While the rivalry runs deep for the four competing halls, students all across campus show out at the Cedarville High School football field with high anticipation for the rivalrous games. 

Though coming off a nine-year win streak, it was unclear whether Lawlor was going to be able to pull it off for the tenth year in a row. With neither Lawlor nor The Hill scoring in the first quarter, the game could really go either way. It was in the last eight minutes of the first half that Lawlor put the first points of the game up on the board with a field goal. 

Those three points didn’t scare The Hill. A minute and a half left of the first half, and The Hill scored a touchdown. Lawlor had just enough time in the first half to get back into field goal range. That field goal wasn’t enough for Lawlor, as the half ended 7-6, The Hill leading. 

“The fellowship between the guys and the overall chemistry between the players on both sides of the ball really helped us keep our cool when The Hill went up with their touchdown,” said Lawlor player Cole Ployd. “We play against our own defense for hours every week, so we knew that they had our back and that as long as we put some more points on the board, they weren’t going to let them score again. Which they didn’t and we were able to complete the 10-peat.” 

“In our kicker we trust” was Lawlor’s motto for Friday night’s game, as the only points they scored the entire game were from field goals. Lawlor kicker Nate Raab was the most valuable player of the game. The duration of the second half was a complete defensive battle between The Hill and Lawlor, with multiple interceptions from both teams. 

Despite pressure from The Hill’s defense, Lawlor kicked two field goals in the second half, making the score 12-7. All it would take is a last-minute touchdown for The Hill to come out victorious. 

The fans were on their feet in the last minute of the fourth quarter when The Hill’s defense intercepted a pass from Lawlor. But what could have been a defining play of the game actually ended up going in Lawlor’s favor. Lawlor’s defense was able to hold The Hill’s offense until the end of the game, leaving the final score 12-7 for a Lawlor victory. 

Though a decade-long win streak wasn’t in the stakes for either team, the rivalry between Maddox and Printy remains just as strong, as Maddox came home with the victory this year. 

After a 14-0 lead in the first half, nearly the whole stadium was confident that Printy was going to pull off the win. It was eight minutes into the third quarter when Maddox’s offense began to assert dominance over the Printy defense with a touchdown. 

Entering the fourth quarter of the game, with the score 14-7, the crowd knew that anything could happen in the final minutes. After a back-and-forth defensive battle, Maddox tied the score with a touchdown in the final five minutes of the game. 

Printy tried to squeeze in a last-minute score with a 32-yard field goal attempt with 10 seconds left on the clock. After a failed field goal attempt, both teams and the fans were eager for an overtime matchup. 

In overtime, each team received a chance on offense to put points on the board. Printy’s offense was able to move the ball downfield back into field goal range. With the pressure on, Printy’s kicker succeeded in kicking the field goal, bringing the score to 17-14 as fans and teammates rejoiced. 

Now all Printy had to do was bring a strong defense to keep Maddox from putting up another score. Though Printy did just that, the Maddox offense was too determined. Meseret Bitner celebrated her birthday with an overtime catch for a touchdown. Bitner’s score was vital for the Maddox 20-17 victory. 

“It was actually insane,” Bitner said. “I can’t believe it. We just worked so hard, and I’m so thankful for that win; it’s so exciting.”

Tayler Sharp is a journalism major and writer and photographer for Cedars. Tayler loves playing golf, reading a good book or doing anything outdoors.