ASHLAND — Michael Franz made up for lost time Friday night.
Franz, Ashland’s senior safety, returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown and the Arrows completed the first perfect regular season since 2006 with a 30-21 win over Lexington on Senior Night at Community Stadium.
Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter 
Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter 
Ashland quarterback Nathan Bernhard throws a pass during Friday’s win over Lexington. Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter 
Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter 
Ashland senior Joseph Isenhart pursues Lexington quarterback Joe Caudill. Credit: Curt Conrad 
Franz was forced to sit out the the last five games because of a broken collarbone sustained against Maple Heights on Sept. 20. He played only on the defensive side of the ball, but came up with the play of the game with the Arrows clinging to a 23-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
“I watched a ton of film this week and I knew if they had two receivers on each side, they normally run a fade and an out,” Franz said. “I was just in a good position and I undercut the route.”
Franz’s pick-six was the second interception return for a touchdown of the night for the Arrows (10-0, 6-0), who won their ninth Ohio Cardinal Conference title and first outright crown since 2011. Tyler Sauder had a 68-yarder late in the first half, giving the Arrows a 17-6 lead.
“Our defense came up with some big plays,” Ashland coach Scott Valentine said. “It was great to have Michael back. The interception return was big because it made it a two-score game.”
Ashland opened the scoring when quarterback Nathan Bernhard hooked up with Killian O’Brien on a 39-yard scoring strike with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter. Lexington (5-5, 4-2) responded when Markale Martin sliced through the Ashland defense for a 28-yard touchdown bolt late in the first quarter to make it 7-6.
Carson O’Brien booted a 21-yard field goal to give the Arrows a 10-6 lead with 10:40 remaining in the first half. Sauder’s pick-six made it 17-6 with 1:52 remaining in the half.
But Lex put together a sensational, two-minute drive that culminated with Martin’s 2-yard scoring run to make it 17-14 with 37 seconds remaining before halftime.
“I’m really proud of the way our kids fought,” Lexington coach Andrew Saris said. “We dug ourselves a hole in the first half, but they never gave up.”
Lexington took the lead midway through the third period when quarterback Joe Caudill lofted a perfect ball to Brayden Fogle, who out-jumped an Ashland defender for a 21-yard TD to make the score 21-17. Lex’s go-ahead score came one play after defensive lineman Landon Tingley recovered a fumble at the Ashland 21.
“We made some big plays to keep us in the game,” Saris said.
Ashland’s last unbeaten regular season came in 2006. The Arrows reached the regional championship game that year before falling to Piqua.
“I told our guys at the beginning of the week that I’ve coached a lot of years and I’ve only been involved with two teams that were 9-0 going into the final week,” Valentine said. ”One went undefeated and this is the second one. I’m happy for these guys because they’ve worked so hard.”
Despite the loss, Lexington (5-5, 4-2) likely earned a spot in the Division III, Region 10 playoffs. Unofficiallly, the Minutemen are 12th in the regional ratings.
“We’re excited to get to take part in the playoffs,” Saris said. “Hopefully we can go out there and win a playoff game or two.”
Ashland will likely earn a top-four finish in Division II, Region 7. That means Ashland could host two playoff games.
“This is a dream come true,” Franz said. “The seniors set some goals … and winning the OCC championship was one of them. We’ve just got to keep working hard and believing in ourselves.”