NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –Last season, the Springfield Tigers played host to the Mogadore Wildcats at South Range High School for the 2019 Region 21 title, a game in which the Tigers would come out on top, 35-21. Almost one year later, these two teams would face off for the chance to go back to the regional final.
Receiving the ball first, the Tigers came out hot. Moving the rock at will on their first drive, star quarterback, Beau Brungard, broke one through the middle of the Mogadore defense and into the endzone from over 40 yards out. The fans erupted, the fireworks were set off, but a holding call would delay the first score of the game. Just a few plays later, the Tigers would come up short on 4th down and 1.
The ensuing Wildcat possession would not last long as the always stout Tigers defense would force a three and out. Taking over in their own territory, the Brungard bunch would go right back to work. A grueling 10 play drive would be capped by an 8-yard touchdown run from Brungard, putting the Tigers ahead 7-0 with 27 seconds left in the 1st.
After kicker Clayton Medvec’s kickoff was booted into the endzone for a touchback, Mogadore would start their second drive at their own 25. Once again, the Tigers would get the ball back quickly. The Tigers defensive front was able to wreak havoc on the Wildcats all night long, coming up with their first of 5 sacks on the night with Mogadore facing 3rd and long.
With the ball back in his hands, Brungard kept things rolling with a perfect pass to Lukas Yemmato get the offense in another goal to go situation and just two plays later, the Tigers were back into the endzone for their second score of the night, this time via a LT like leap over the pile by running back Clayton Nezbeth from one-yard out.
On their opening drive of the second half, Mogadore had made some adjustments and were rolling into Tiger territory. Full back Tyler Knight was having his way to start the half, throwing defenders off left and right, pushing Mogadore into Springfield territory for the first time of the night. However, Knight’s hard nose running would come back to bite him. Stiff arming one defender, Knight left the ball loose from his body, allowing Brungard to make a big play on the defensive side, stripping it right out of the hands of Knight.
While Springfield failed to score in the second half on the offensive side, the defense would come up big. With 7 minutes and 8 seconds remaining in the game, Clayton Nezbeth would record his second touchdown of the game, this time from a scoop and score, courtesy a strip sack from a Tiger defensive lineman.
Although they were down by 3 scores, the Wildcats did not go quietly into the night. On their final drive, Mogadore quarterback, Kody Jaber would connect with wide out Tucker Marmash 4 times for 88 yards. Despite their success through the air, the Wildcats were unable to put points on the board, cementing the final score in favor of the Tigers, 21-0.
BIG PERFORMERS
Springfield
Beau Brungard – 3 completions 59 yards 13 carries 84 yards 1 TD
Clayton Nezbeth – 9 carries 45 yards 1 Rushing TD 1 Defensive TD
Austin Tindell – 9 carries 60 yards
Lukas Yemma – 2 catches 57 yards
Mogadore
Kody Jaber – 6 completions 98 yards 2 carries 11 yards
Tyler Knight – 10 carries 73 yards 1 lost fumble
Tucker Marmash – 5 catches 94 yards
UP NEXT
Springfield: It’s back to the Regional Final for the Tigers. Springfield will play host to the NorwayneBobcats (9-0), who were able to defeat Wickliffe(8-1) 20-13 to secure their spot in the Regional Final.
*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson
