Upper Arlington beat Hilliard Bradley 24-7 on the road Friday, Sept. 25, opening OCC-Central Division play with a convincing win. The Golden Bears improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the division.

The Bears set the tone early. Defensive back Nolan Miller intercepted Bradley quarterback Declan O'Neil on the Jaguars' opening drive, as first reported by the Columbus Dispatch. That takeaway led to a 28-yard field goal by Edward Oakley, putting UA ahead 3-0 with 6:35 left in the first quarter.

Quarterback Reign St. Clair stretched the lead with 1:37 remaining in the period, connecting with Charlie Hunt on a 31-yard touchdown pass. UA led 10-0 after one quarter. Bradley managed just one first down in the opening 12 minutes.

The Jaguars answered in the second quarter. Running back Rashaud Truss punched in a 7-yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the half, cutting UA's lead to 10-7. But Hunt, who shares quarterback duties with St. Clair, capped an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run with 1:33 remaining before halftime. UA took a 17-7 lead into the break.

Bradley had chances in the second half. Joey Zytkowski recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, but kicker Xavier Love missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. Hunt then put the game out of reach with a 4-yard touchdown run with 7:20 left in the third quarter, set up by a 32-yard pass from St. Clair.

The Jaguars were denied three more times on second-half scoring opportunities, according to the Dispatch. Love converted a fake punt for 24 yards but missed a 33-yard field goal. Bradley also turned the ball over on downs at the UA 10-yard line midway through the fourth quarter.

Both teams entered the game at 4-1. The loss dropped Bradley to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the division.

UA's defense continued a strong pattern. In three of their four wins entering Friday's game, the Golden Bears had allowed seven points or fewer, including two shutouts, according to Cleveland.com. Friday's result extended that trend.

The Golden Bears host Olentangy Liberty on Friday, Oct. 2, with four regular-season games remaining before the OHSAA playoffs begin Oct. 30.