MANSFIELD — After a hard-fought loss at the state finals in Canton, the Mansfield Tygers returned to a proud crowd of supporters Friday night.
Fans from across Richland County, many of whom traveled to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 14-7 overtime loss to Trotwood Madison, waited for nearly an hour in the parking lot at Arlin Field to welcome the team home.
Among the crowd were Mansfield Senior alumni Willie Bell, Crystal Allred and Penny Harriger.
“They made us proud,” said Allred, a 1997 graduate. “I know these guys did their best. They played hard … They broke records. They’re coming home winners to us.”
Bell, a member of the class of 1999 and former Tygers offensive tackle, drove to Mansfield from Tiffin and rode a charter bus to the championship game.
“I had to support my Tygers,” he said. “It was a heartbreaker, but hey, they broke a lot of records. I’m very proud of the boys.”
Harriger graduated from Mansfield Senior in 1996. Two of her daughters attended Senior High, while another is currently enrolled at Lucas, which plays for a state title Saturday.
“We’re excited for both teams. We have a Cub in our house and we are Tyger fans and alumni ourselves, so it’s nice being able to cheer both teams on,” Harriger said. “It felt awesome. Richland County showed up, Mansfield showed up to support.
“The love that the boys had, it was just phenomenal.”
Harringer said she was extremely proud of the Tygers, despite the final score.
“Their heart and soul was into it,” she said. “We love them. They’re our heroes still.”
Twelve-year-old Tyree Dillon also waited at Arlin Field after the game. A pee wee linebacker and Malabar student, he hopes to achieve his own state title run one day.
“It inspired me to play better, inspired me to do things like them,” he said of the game.
When the buses finally pulled in, a cacophony of horns, sirens and cheers filled the air. Fireworks burst overhead. A “TY-Tygers” chant erupted as the players exited the bus.
“The support has been unreal and phenomenal throughout this whole process,” reflected Tygers Coach Chioke Bradley. “It’s great for the kids to be supported this way by their community. We’ll never forget this. They’ll talk about this for a lifetime.”
Between hugs from players and community members, Bradley praised his team for all its hard work.
“It’s just a blessing from God to be a part of this,” he said. “Those kids over there fought hard. They laid it all on the line for their community.”
“Even though we didn’t finish, it’s great to see the city still has our back,” said senior Angelo Grose. “I wish we could have brought back the ‘W’ … but I’m still proud of my team.”
When asked what he’d say to next year’s Senior High team, the star player kept it short and sweet:
“Let’s do it again.”
