Unbeaten Princeton now knows its next opponent.

Middletown beat Lebanon 33-15 on Friday, Oct. 30, in a Division I, Region 4 first-round playoff game at VanDeGrift Stadium, according to the Journal-News. The win sends the Middies (7-4) to Princeton for a regional quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 6, against the No. 1-seeded Vikings (10-0), the Greater Miami Conference champions.

Princeton routed Middletown 28-7 in Week 2. Middletown coach Kali Jones said his team has developed considerably since that meeting.

As we reported Oct. 29, Princeton finished the regular season undefeated and earned the No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press Division I poll. The Vikings received a first-round bye as a top-four seed in Region 4.

Middletown's first-round win

Middies senior quarterback Gavin Nolan threw three touchdown passes and completed 15 of 22 attempts for 160 yards. He added 78 yards rushing on 13 carries. Sophomore Memphis Driscol scored twice, rushing for 77 yards and catching two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

Middletown built a 26-0 lead before Lebanon scored late in the third quarter. The Middies finished with 354 yards of total offense, including 194 on the ground.

Driscol scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, then hauled in an 11-yard scoring pass from Nolan with 30 seconds left in the first half. Middletown carried a 13-0 lead into halftime.

Nolan connected with Ka'leem Taylor on a 55-yard touchdown pass less than two minutes into the third quarter. Taylor finished with three receptions for 70 yards. Gibson caught six passes for 44 yards.

Lebanon junior quarterback Mason Reed scored on an 18-yard run late in the third quarter and connected with junior receiver Wyatt Lassen on a 14-yard touchdown pass with six minutes left in the fourth. That pulled the Warriors within 26-15. Reed completed 15 of 31 passes for 166 yards. Lassen caught six passes for 105 yards.

Driscol sealed the game with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:51 remaining.

Defense sets the tone

Middletown's defense held Lebanon to 245 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers. Jaiden Davis finished with seven tackles. Braylon Bryant added six tackles and a sack. Kenny Higgins and Harlem Coleman each intercepted a pass, with Higgins returning his 32 yards.

Lebanon coach Micah Faler said the Warriors struggled with the Middies' physicality, finishing with just 79 rushing yards on 23 attempts.

Looking ahead to Nov. 6

Jones said the Middies have won seven of their last nine games after starting the season 0-2. Middletown will travel to Princeton for the regional quarterfinal. Under OHSAA playoff format, top-four seeds host second-round games.

Princeton hosts Middletown on Friday, Nov. 6.