MANSFIELD — The Tygers took a step in the wrong direction.
Tiffin Columbian running back Masen Seitz rushed for four touchdowns as the Tornadoes cruised to a 35-7 win over Mansfield Senior at Arlin Field on Friday.
The Tygers dipped to 0-2 under first-year head coach David Phillips and have been outscored 65-13.
“To be honest with you, I think we took a step back from last week,” Phillips said. “We weren’t physical enough in the trenches. (Columbian) averaged 9 yards a pop.
“They just ran it down our throats. They punched us in the mouth and we never responded.”
Quick Strike
The Tornadoes (2-0) raced to a 14-0 lead first-quarter lead. Seitz scored on runs of 8 and 4 yards and added a 1-yarder in the second quarter.
Tiffin Columbian pushed the advantage to 28-0 just nine seconds before halftime when quarterback Logan Gooding hooked up with Brock Siesel on a 4-yard scoring strike.
“We have up 28 points in the first half. It’s unacceptable,” Phillips said. “We can’t spot teams 28 points.
“We’ve got to find a group of kids who are ready to go.”
Signs of Life
Tiffin Columbian triggered the running clock on its first possession of the second half. Seitz scored on a 1 yard run with 10 minutes to play in the third.
On the ensuing kickoff, Mansfield Senior’s Cordaye Javier fielded the ball at his own 12 yards and returned it 48 yards to the Tiffin Columbian 40. A 24-yard run by Braylon Fletcher on fourth-and-one put the ball inside the Columbian 10 and freshman quarterback David Phillips III capped the drive when he connected with Davion Mack on an 8-yard scoring pass on fourth-and goal.
It was Phillips’ first career touchdown pass and Mack’s first TD catch.
“I have a lot of confidence in Davion out there,” the younger Phillips said. “He’s a big athletic guy who can jump.”
The Tygers had another scoring opportunity in the fourth, but couldn’t punch it into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the Tiffin Columbian 1.
“We are struggling in the red zone right now,” the elder Phillips said. “We’re struggling with the physicality. You can’t teach heart.”
Statistically Speaking
Gooding completed 11-of-20 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Phillips completed 12-of-23 passes for 118 yards and a score.
Seitz rushed for 182 yards on 32 carries. Fletcher led Senior High with 70 yards on 13 carries.
Andrew Brooks had six catches for 84 yards.
Next
Mansfield Senior will host Watkins Memorial next week.
