Every time Mariemont made Indian Hill head coach Tony Arcuri nervous on Friday night, Indian Hill safety Charlie DiGennaro responded with a big play. 

After Mariemont tied the score at 14 points with less than a minute left in the first half, DiGennaro ran the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown. 

And in the third quarter when Mariemont was about to cut its deficit down to three points, DiGennaro intercepted a pass in the end zone that helped Indian Hill extend its lead. 

Indian Hill beat Mariemont 51-14, and DiGennaro won the MVP award in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. 

"I'm always trying to do whatever I can to give the team a chance, but that usually isn't by making the big touchdowns," DiGennaro said. "This was my breakout game."

Even though Mariemont had fewer yards and more turnovers than Indian Hill in the first half, the Warriors were 20 seconds away from going into halftime tied with the Braves.

That's when Mariemont kicked off to DiGennaro, who went untouched on his 90-yard kick return for a touchdown.
 

Arcuri said the team underperformed in the first half, and the Braves dropped kick returns, committed several penalties and dropped potential interceptions. 

But the Braves led by double digits at halftime after DiGennaro's touchdown.

"If we went into the locker room tied at halftime, frankly this team isn't used to that," Arcuri said. "We answered right back right away with something. Don't discount the momentum that gives to us.

After halftime, Indian Hill rarely slipped up. 

Mariemont still trailed by 10 points late in the third quarter and drove into the red zone. DiGennaro intercepted a pass on the goal line, and this return was even more impressive.