running back eludes defender in football game
Ashland's Gabe Baith works around end against Mansfield Senior. Credit: Doug Haidet

ASHLAND – It was not a pleasing first 10 minutes Friday night at Community Stadium for the Ashland football team.

But by the time the next 10 minutes had ticked off the game clock, the Arrows had turned a 3-0 deficit against visiting Mansfield Senior into a 28-3 runaway lead.

The Tygers certainly punched first, with Guy Trader’s 57-yard interception return setting up a 41-yard field goal from Griffin DeBolt – Ashland’s first deficit in the first quarter of a game since Week 1.

But the undefeated Arrows (7-0, 3-0 Ohio Cardinal Conference) settled in behind star junior quarterback Nathan Bernhard, who accounted for five touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of offense in a 35-3 rout.

It was Ashland’s first win over the Tygers (1-6, 1-3) since 2020 and it gave the team its most wins in any regular season since 2017.

Facing a third-and-1 from his own 12-yard line with under two minutes to play in the first quarter, Bernhard broke off an 88-yard touchdown sprint that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Looking ready for an upset early on, Mansfield never recovered.

“We definitely had to get things going running the ball and then we were able to open up everything else,” said Bernhard, who finished with 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries while also connecting on 13-of-23 passes for 159 yards and three more scores. “It was a physical game and we knew that coming in.

“That big touchdown run kick-started everything and we just never looked back.”

It was the fifth time this season Bernhard has accounted for at least four touchdowns in a game, as he eclipsed 1,500 passing yards and 500 rushing yards for the season.

In a rivalry that had seen one-possession final scores in eight of the last 11 meetings, Tygers head coach Chioke Bradley said Bernhard and the Arrows showed the talent that has led them to their first 7-0 start in 18 years.

“We thought we were able to do some things that we saw on tape that would give them some problems,” said the coach, whose team would have had interceptions off tipped passes on Ashland’s first two drives if not for a roughing-the-passer penalty. “… But that’s a well-coached football program over there and Coach Valentine is legendary. They made some adjustments and their kids found a way to punch it into the end zone and create turnovers against our offense (the Tygers lost three fumbles).

“(Bernhard) beat us tonight with his legs; we didn’t see that coming,” the coach added. “He did a great job breaking some tackles and finishing runs.”

Bernhard hit receiver Dakota Kruty for touchdowns on back-to-back offensive plays in the second quarter. The first came on a 31-yard strike, then less than 20 seconds later they connected for a 30-yard score that was set up by a fumble recovery from Ashland senior Jackson Aber.

Kruty, a speedy junior and track standout, doubled his touchdowns for the season on those two quick strikes.

“That fade route, that’s one I used to always get when I started playing in eighth grade and I could never really connect on one of those,” Kruty said. “I’m happy I finally got one and got to show off my speed a little bit.”

Bernhard capped the first-half scoring with a 54-yard touchdown run with 3:38 showing, as Carson O’Brien hit his fourth of five PATs in the game to make it 28-3.

Mansfield junior quarterback Jordan Ferguson (4-of-10, 80 yards passing) hit senior Ny Petty for a 65-yard gain on the ensuing offensive play, but the Tygers lost a fumble after that.

Ashland’s Tyler Sauder recovered a Mansfield fumble on the first play of the second half, setting up a Bernhard-to-Sauder 7-yard touchdown pass to trigger a running clock the rest of the way.

“I think (the opening-drive interception) kind of woke us up a little bit and made us realize we’re not invincible and we can definitely be beat,” said Sauder, who also had two tackles for loss. “It was a little shaky at the beginning of this game, but then we started getting stuff figured out and we took it to them.”

Ashland sophomore running back Grayson Baith added over 100 yards of offense (52 receiving, 49 rushing), while his junior brother Gabe Baith had a game-high five receptions for 36 yards.

It was the second week in a row the Tygers offense was held without a touchdown, as they were outgained 339-103 in the first half against Ashland.

A year ago, Mansfield went 10-3, and the Tygers entered 2024 riding a 13-game OCC winning streak. But the team has had a hard time finding its offensive footing one season after graduating 11 seniors who now are playing at the collegiate level.

“Those guys played a lot of snaps for this program,” Bradley said of his 2023 seniors. “Not saying that we don’t have talent on this team, because we do, but we just lost a lot of experience and a lot of football knowledge.”

Freshman left-handed quarterback Sean Sey Tanner made a few connections in the second half for the Tygers, finishing 5-of-7 for 102 yards, with three of those completions going to junior Carter Kessler (46 yards receiving).

The Ashland win cut Mansfield’s lead in the all-time series to 40-38-3 through 81 meetings. Despite the wide spread Friday, Bradley said it’s been a great rivalry to be a part of for 17 total years as a coach.

“I’ve been truly blessed to be able to coach in this environment and play some really good football against some really good talent for Ashland on both sides of the ball,” he said.

A good chunk of that rivalry has come against Arrows head coach Scott Valentine, who on Friday was in his 300th career game as a head coach (now 180-120 over 28 seasons).

The contest also was his 100th home game at Community Stadium leading AHS (75-25 record).

“I’ve had great coaching staffs and that’s what’s made it enjoyable for me,” Valentine said. “And then the kids, it’s great being around these kids, seeing them grow and seeing them have success.”

Defensive coordinator Ryan Stackhouse has coached with Valentine for about a decade now and was a player for him during his time as an Arrow. He said it’s no surprise to see the coach’s numbers after nearly three decades leading teams.

“He’s an amazing human being and obviously the records show that he’s a great coach, too,” Stackhouse said.

Sauder said he’s enjoyed all of his time around Valentine through the years, as his father, Scott Sauder, has been a longtime assistant coach under Valentine.

“I used to go to practices everyday as a kid, just with my dad,” he said, “and I grew up around (Valentine) and around this program. I’m glad he’s come back and he’s done a really nice job.”

Valentine and Ashland will get a crucial OCC test next week when they travel to West Holmes (4-3, 3-1), which lost in the fourth quarter to Lexington (4-3, 3-0) on Friday night, 19-13. The Arrows and Minutemen are tied for first in the conference.

The Tygers return home to Arlin Field in Week 8, where they will face the only OCC team still winless in league play, Wooster. The Generals (1-6, 0-4) dropped a nonconference game at Dover on Friday, 48-28.

Head of Newsroom Product at Richland Source. Lifelong Cleveland sports fan who also enjoys marketing, history, camping, comedy, local music & living in Mansfield with my wonderful family.