[Stardust]

The Boone County football team won an intense defensive struggle against Ryle on Friday and avenged an earlier loss to the Raiders with a 14-7 Class 6A regional semifinal victory at Borland Stadium in Union.

"Our defense played great," said Boone County quarterback Kameron Schwartz, who aided the cause with an interception from his safety position. "It feels great to win.http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...311120076/


The Rebels advanced to next week's regional final for the sixth time in 10 years because Schwartz kept redeeming himself following costly mistakes. Boone (8-4) got redemption following a 27-13 September loss to the Raiders (7-5).

Schwartz, who completed just three passes and was sacked twice, helped break a 7-all tie with a 1-yard keeper for a touchdown with 2:18 to play in the third quarter. The score capped a 13-play, 58-yard drive for the Rebels on the very next possession after Ryle's Ryan Smith intercepted Schwartz at the Raider 30 and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.

With the Rebels clinging to a seven-point lead, Schwartz lost a fourth-quarter fumble. The Raiders, however, could not take advantage as Boone County stopped them on four plays, thanks to a ferocious effort by linebacker Robbie Hiles. Boone regained possession, and with rushes of 13 and 12 yards by tailback Cody Rodriguez, moved the ball inside the Ryle 25. Rodriguez rushed 28 times for 150 yards.