The last time Mansfield Senior played defense like this, Stan Jefferson was the coach, Brian White was the star linebacker and Chek Washington, Malon Samuel, Antonio Sanderfer and Jaleel Taylor were just starting kindergarten.
It was the fall of 2001 and the Jefferson-led Tygers were in the middle of a memorable three-year playoff run. Senior High had advanced to the second round of the Division I playoffs in the fall of 2000, beating Dustin Fox and Canton GlenOak in the Region 2 quarterfinals before falling to Ohio Heartland Conference rival Marion Harding in the regional semifinals.
While the 2000 team was best known for its punishing ground game led by Mo Bradley and Tarek Berry, the 2001 Tygers’ calling card was its defense. In 10 regular season games, the Senior High surrendered 56 points. They pitched three shutouts and allowed more than one touchdown in a game just twice, a 17-14 loss to Justin Zwick-led Massillon in Week 6 and a 12-6 loss to Marion Harding two weeks later.
The ’01 Tygers were a physical bunch led by White and two-way lineman Mike Donaldson, both of whom would play for Lee Owens at the University of Akron.
The ’13 Tygers may not be as physical, but what they lack in brute strength they make up for with jaw-dropping speed from the front of the defense to the back end.
“They have great, great team speed and they have it everywhere,” longtime Orrville coach Doug Davault said after the Tygers pounded the previously unbeaten Red Riders 45-0 two weeks ago. “They just get after you and they create negative plays all over the field.”
The Tygers have given up 79 points through six games (13.2 points per game) and have two shutouts in three Ohio Cardinal Conference games. Senior High went more than 11 quarters without allowing a point before Ashland ended the scoreless streak early in the third quarter of last week’s 30-14 win.
“We want to prove we are for real, especially in the OCC,” said linebacker Taylor, an All-Ohio second team selection last fall. “We have played well, but if you ask anyone on that side of the ball he would tell you we can be better.”
The speedy 6-foot, 220-pound Taylor has 48 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The centerpiece of Senior High’s 3-4 defense, Taylor has forced one fumble, recovered another and used his blazing speed – he is the anchor man on Senior High’s 400 relay team in the spring – to change last week’s game against the Arrows. Taylor forced a fumble on a pooch kick during the third quarter and Samuel recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Tygers a comfortable 30-7 lead.
“We have got some guys on the defensive side of the ball who can run,” said Samuel, a safety with 46 tackles and an interception. “Our offense struggled a little bit in the second half (against Ashland) but the defense took it upon itself to shut down their passing game.
The Arrows, who came in averaging more than 35 points and 400 yards a game, were limited to 277 yards. Quarterback Nick Zurcher, who was averaging 280.6 passing yards a game, managed just 169 yards on 16 of 36 passing with two interceptions.
“I was pleased with the job we did defensively, especially in the first half,” said Washington, a safety with a 34 tackles, three interceptions and handful of Mid-American Conference scholarship offers. “There is still plenty of room for improvement, though.”
Linebacker Antonio Sanderfer ranks among Richland County leaders with 9.5 sacks and a whopping 22 tackles for loss. Linebacker Travon Harris leads the team with 53 tackles.
“We have got some special guys on that side of the ball,” said Senior High coach Chioke Bradley, a former All-Ohio defensive back for the Tygers. “They have an unbelievable amount of grit and mental and physical toughness.”
The Tygers (6-0, 3-0) will face another challenge Friday when West Holmes (5-1, 2-1) invades Arlin Field. The Knights boast one of the OCC’s most rugged rushing attacks.
“We will have to prepare for a completely different style of play,” Samuel said, “but we’ll be ready.”
Follow Curt Conrad on Twitter @curtjconrad.
