Valiant defense pushes Tygers to OT in tough state finals loss

CANTON — Mansfield Senior’s defense played inspired football for more than three quarters on Friday afternoon. And for the longest time, senior Terrance Flickinger’s 94-yard TD bolt in the third period looked like that alone might be enough to carry the day in the Division III state championship game.

But seventh-ranked Trotwood Madison (12-3) showed exactly why it’s one of the state’s powerhouse programs in rallying for a 14-7 overtime victory.

“I think we did everything we possibly could,” Tygers coach Chioke Bradley said. “It’s been a wonderful ride. But Trotwood did a great job. They made one more play than we did.”

The ninth-ranked Tygers (13-2) rocked-and-socked the vaunted Rams, getting the better of it heading to the fourth quarter with a 7-0 lead. Alas, Trotwood controlled the final 12 minutes thanks to wildcat quarterback Keon’Tae Hugeuly.

Taking over for starter Cooper Stewart, Huguely’s arm and legs seemed to energize coach Jeff Graham’s team. The slick senior ignited the Rams best march of the game early in the fourth quarter. Operating out of a five-receiver set, Huguely led his team down the field before twin brother Ke’Shawn Huguely finished it on a 13-yard scoring sprint. The PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 8:11 remaining.

“He is more of a thrower than a runner,” Graham said. “We’ve had to make him believe he is a dual threat.”

In overtime, Trotwood faced a 4th-and-8 at the Tygers’ 18, and Huguely struck again. This time he fired a dart into the end zone to hit Sammy Anderson on a fade route for the game-winner.

“That was like a gut-punch,” Bradley said.

The Tygers struggled to muster any offense in the chilly, windy conditions. Flickinger’s TD bolt off right tackle accounted for 94 of Mansfield’s 190 yards in total offense. Quarterback Cam Todd completed 3-of-8 passes for 12 yards, and only one completion went beyond the line of scrimmage.

Trotwood had a 14-10 edge in first downs, and a 268-90 edge in total yards.

Graham said the key was the Rams used Anderson to shadow Tygers’ star Angelo Grose all over the field, snuffing Senior High’s offense.

“(Sammy) accepted the challenge. We said, ‘Wherever he goes, you go,’ ” Graham said. “After the game he said, Did I do my job?’ “

Trotwood’s third state title in five years was the definitive answer.

Still, Mansfield Senior’s stirring run, which included three consecutive overtime games in the playoffs, united the Richland County community. Announced attendance was 5,700 at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, and perhaps 5,000 were Tyger fans.

“Our fanbase has done an amazing job all season long,” Bradley said. “It was bigger than us as a football team. We were playing for our city.”