MADISON TOWNSHIP — Mason Vantilburg set high expectations for himself this high school football season.
The 5-foot-10, 175 pound Ontario running back said he’d like to rush for 1,000-plus yards and score 20 touchdowns during his senior campaign.
On Friday, Vantilburg continued chasing his goals — rushing for three scores and catching a TD as the Warriors defeated Madison 34-14 to remain unbeaten through non-conference play.
Following Friday night’s win, Vantilburg credited his offensive line for opening up the field.
“When we were in a sweep, they got out there and made blocks. I cut off them and got the job done,” he said.
Vantilburg’s rushing TDs included two 5-yard scores and a 53-yard sprint — all while evading defenders and battling Friday’s heavy downpour.
“You know it’s raining (while playing), but you’ve still got to take care of the ball. That’s all it is,” he said.
Ontario displays ‘tough and gritty’ identity
Vantilburg started Friday’s scoring with a 27-yard TD reception via a pass from Ontario quarterback Bodpegn Miller.
Three minutes later, he raced five yards for a score to put the Warriors up 14-0 early.
Madison responded with an 8-yard TD strike from Cameron Kuhn to Justin McCraney. But the Rams wouldn’t score again until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the Warriors added two more touchdowns before halftime and never looked back.
Ontario coach Aaron Eckert said Friday’s victory was an example of his team’s identity — tough and gritty.
“I didn’t feel like the rain really affected us,” he said. “Our goal every week is to come out and be the most physical team on the field.
“I think we proved that again tonight, that we’re going to run the football and that’s kind of who we are.”
Photo gallery: Ontario at Madison
Warriors still have room for improvement entering MOAC play
The Warriors haven’t necessarily played a “complete game” yet this season, Eckert said.
“We’ve been a second-half team the first two games and have come out and played well,” he said. “Tonight, I think at one point we had like nine offensive plays halfway through the fourth quarter.”
“We’ve got to be better than that and continue to play at the end of the game or a full game, when everything is still on the line … we can improve on that.”
Unbeaten through non-conference play, Ontario will travel to River Valley next Friday for its first Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game of the season.
Led by the reigning MOAC Player of the Year in Miller, the Warriors are hungry for a league crown. Last season, Ontario and Shelby were co-champs of the conference.
Eckert said the focus for his team entering conference play is fundamentals.
“That’s just doing our job within the scheme, offensively and defensively,” he said. “The MOAC is a tough conference. I think it’s one of the better conferences in the area.
“We get to play a team in River Valley next week who is kind of the opposite of what Madison is trying to do, so you’re going to kind of see different flavors every week and we look forward to that challenge,” Eckert said.
Up next:
— Ontario (3-0) travels to River Valley (2-1) Friday night to open Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play. The Vikings defeated Buckeye Valley in Week Three, 37-7.
— Madison (0-3) hosts Wooster (1-2) Friday night to open Ohio Cardinal Conference play. The Generals fell in Week 3 to New Philadelphia, 28-7.
Scoring summary: Ontario 34, Madison 14
1st quarter
Ontario — Mason Vantilburg 27-yard pass from Bodpegn Miller, 7-0
Ontario — Vantilburg 5-yard run, 14-0
Madison — Justin McCraney 8-yard pass from Cameron Kuhn, 14-6
2nd quarter
Ontario — Vantilburg 5-yard run, 20-6
Ontario — Landon Foltz 5-yard pass from Miller, 27-6
3rd quarter
Ontario — Vantilburg 53-yard run, 34-6
4th quarter
Madison — Ja’karri Favers 2-yard run, 34-14