MANSFIELD — A couple of big-time college football recruits dominated the action on Friday night at Arlin Field.
Unfortunately for Mansfield Sr., they were wearing Toledo St. John’s jerseys. The Titans (3-0) used their star power to overcome a 10-7 second-quarter deficit and roll to a 44-16 win.
“They were big-time players and big-time players make big-time plays,” Mansfield Senior coach Chioke Bradley said.
Senior multi-purpose athlete Pete McIntyre put on a show with a 59-yard TD catch and a 50-yard field goal. He had a 71-yard TD run wiped out by penalty and a 37-yard dash that set up another score. He posted 70 yards on just four carries and scored twice. He also caught two passes for 77 yards and another score.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder will play in the Big Ten next year, as a Northwestern Wildcat.
Junior linebacker Dallas Gant showed why Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State and a bevy of other schools have already offered him a scholarship. The 6-3, 215-pounder met Mansfield Senior running back Brian Benson in the hole numerous times, with authority.
Gant, rated the No 44 overall prospect in his class and second-best outside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports, is a lanky prospect with tremendous range who consistently arrives on the scene with a nasty disposition. Gant spearheaded a defense that limited the Tygers to 236 total yards.
“The linebacker has offers from Ohio State, Alabama and everyone else,” Bradley said. “Number 11 is going to Northwestern. The corner is going to Toledo. They have two big offensive linemen on the left side with offers.
“It’s tough to compete with that.”
But the Tygers (1-2) did exactly that for most of the first half, thanks largely to Benson. The Senior High standout ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, but that was nearly half of Mansfield’s offense. His 19-yard TD romp in the second quarter provided a short-lived 10-7 edge.
That was the high point.
Senior High’s top prospect, junior wideout Jornell Manns, did not play after re-injuring his shoulder last week. The Tygers were simply outgunned, and the Titans took full advantage. Toledo St. John moved on top 23-10 at halftime, and put the game away with a scoring drive on the first possession of the second half.
“Our kids played Tygers’ football for two quarters,” Bradley said. “We play these games so we’ll be prepared when the conference season starts.”
Mansfield Senior returns to action next week at Delaware Hayes. The Titans travel to Fremont Ross.
