ST. BERNARD — For the Roger Bacon football team, there really is no place like home.
The Spartans have not lost at the friendly confines of Bron Bacevich Memorial Stadium since 2018. On Saturday night, Roger Bacon increased its East Mitchell Avenue winning streak to 19 straight with a 16-6 victory over Mariemont in the Division V, Region 20 quarterfinals.
Of course, Roger Bacon has typically cruised during that streak, winning by an average of 31.3 points over the first 18 games with just one (last year's 31-28 win over Versailles in the regional semifinals) affair decided by single digits.
On Saturday, the Spartans had to win a different type of game. After taking an early 13-0 lead, Mariemont matched Roger Bacon blow for blow in a low-scoring, physical bout that was one by play in the trenches and defense.
"We never want one that close, but Mariemont is a really great football team. My hats off to them," Roger Bacon head coach Mike Blaut said. "Our guys stepped up and made plays tonight. Offensively, we were good at first and kind of faded at the end, but we did what we needed to win it."
Roger Bacon's defense, which has not allowed more than six points in a game since Oct. 8, stood strong while protecting a one-score lead in the second half. Mariemont had three drives reach Roger Bacon territory in the second half, but had no points to show for it.