by Brunswick, OH – Austin Wondolowski had two big runs tonight, one for the Namer’s first touchdown, and one for the game sealing first down. He also punted the ball, held place kicks, played defense and caught the ball. Word is still out if he drove the team bus home. The Green Wave needed all of it as they overcame a 16-3 deficit to win 17-16 in thrilling fashion to advance tonight over Mansfield Senior.
After Holy Names Curtis Robinson and Mansfield’s Sean Putt exchanged 23-yard field goals to start the game at 3 each, it was the Tyger’s Keontez Bradley ripping off a speedy 86-yard sprint on a jet sweep that he took to the house to put Mansfield up 10-3 with 1:32 to play in the first quarter. He was a blur once he took off! The quarter ended with the Tygers up 10-3 in a quarter that saw 2 total pass attempts, two turnovers and only one pass completion.
Midway into the second quarter, Holy Name turned it over on downs near midfield, allowing Mansfield to take over with outstanding field position. It was then that Mansfield called for their first pass play of the game as Duke Reese launched a 49-yard bomb to a wide open Amarr Davis. They missed the extra point however, as the Tyger’s now led 16-3. Holy Name was having issue keeping up with the speed of Mansfield. We’d go to half with the same score.
Holy Name needed a break to start the second half and got one, as Mansfield went for it near midfield on fourth and 2 and didn’t get it to start the half. Jayvon Williams took off for a 20-yard jaunt to start the Namer drive. A few plays later, a clutch third down connection to Andrew Cole would move the chains again. A few plays later, Williams hit Wondolowski who caught it and took it to the 2 yard line. After Williams fumbled but recovered another snap, the Namers would finally punch it in with an Austin Wondolowski run to cut into the lead. It was a fantastic drive for Wondolowski and the Namers as they cut into the lead at 16-10.
The good breaks and the momentum would continue in favor of the Green Wave as they went for an onside kick and converted it. One play into the drive, Williams found Cole on a 25-yard pitch and catch. Williams took the next play to himself and raced in from 26 yards out to tie it at 16, 7 minutes into the quarter. The extra point was good, and just like that, it was 17-16 Holy Name out of nowhere! The quarter would end with the Namer’s up by that same score.
Mansfield took over at their own 36-yard line with 5:07 to go in the game. The Tygers stuck to the run with Zyion Brown to pick up a few quick first downs. Eventually Reese would break one for 11 yards and the Tygers set up shop at the 39 with 4 minutes to go. It was then that Mansfield benefitted from a ridiculous personal foul penalty on Holy Name for tackling with too much aggression which moved the ball to the 27. The call was completely absurd and gave the Tygers prime real estate.
The Tygers would then get stuffed on three straight plays which set up a 4th and 13 with 2:30 to play. Faced with a 47 yard field goal attempt, they decided to keep their offense on the field. The decision came up empty as Reese threw his 3rd consecutive incomplete pass. This gave the ball back to Holy Name as Mansfield only had two timeouts left. Holy Name hung on to win from there.
The 3 plays that swung this game can be found on page two.
