CANFIELD — That first win of the season has become an elusive sucker for the Mansfield Senior football team.
The Tygers dropped a tough, 20-14 decision on Friday night at Canfield in a game that wasn’t decided until overtime.
Senior High (0-2) has struggled mightily on offense through the first two weeks. In this one, the only points came via a pair of long kickoff returns by Guy Trader.
The Cardinals forged a 7-0 edge when quarterback Enzo Cocca squirted loose for a 3-yard run with 2:53 to play in the second quarter.
But Trader immediately got the score back, returning the ensuing kickoff for an 82-yard touchdown to tie the game heading to the half.
Canfield moved back on top when Cocca tossed a 59-yard TD pass to Matthew Campbell for a 14-7 advantage with 9:47 blinking on the third-quarter clock.
Again Trader pulled the Tygers even. This time he took the ensuing kickoff at the 10 and evaded all the Cardinals for a 90-yard score.
It stayed that way deep into the fourth quarter. Mansfield Senior had a chance to win in regulation, but a 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 15 seconds remaining.
The Tygers got the ball first in overtime, but missed another field goal try.
That gave the Cardinals their final chance. They cashed it when Cocca scored on a 12-yard run.
Canfield (1-1) dominated most of the action, and controlled the game statistically. The hosts had more total yards (363-130), more rushing yards (188-10) and first downs (19-10).
Senior High was limited to 10 yards rushing on 19 attempts.
Cocca was the offensive star for the Cardinals, hitting 8-of-16 passes for 175 yards and a score, and running for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tygers will be back at Arlin Field on Friday night to host Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph and star tailback Bo Jackson, who has verbally committed to Ohio State.
Canfield returns to action next week at Olmsted Falls.