by Berea, OH – On a beautiful fall night for some football, the first round of the OHSAA playoffs kicked off. In Division I, Region 1, most people’s eyes turned towards the clash between #7 Berea-Midpark and #10 Massillon Jackson.
Last season, the Titans had to travel to Massillon and fell 28-24. This time the Polar Bears made the trip to George Finnie Stadium.
In the first half, it took both offenses a drive to find a rhythm. The momentum swung the way of Massillon Jackson early after Austin Clay muffed a punt and the Polar Bears recovered at the 27-yard line. The excellent field position allowed the visitors the opportunity to strike first and they capitalized on that chance. Zach Kuntz found Kyle Andrews for the 10-yard TD, putting the Polar Bears up 7-0.
Following the touchdown, Massillon Jackson went for an onside kick and recovered. A long discussion and delay in the action concluded with the officials calling a penalty for illegal procedure on the kicking team. This was a crucial call because the Titans recovered on the re-kick. On the following drive, Daniel Bowser III found room up the middle on a quarterback keeper and took it to the house for six. The 40-yard touchdown run and ensuing PAT knotted the game up at 7-7.
In the second quarter, the Titans took their first lead of the game on an Adriel Mendez 12-yard touchdown run (14-7 Titans).
Massillon Jackson was looking to respond with a touchdown of their own but on 2nd and goal from the four-yard line, Devyn Zahursky sacked Kuntz for a loss of 11 yards. This play derailed the drive for the Polar Bears and they had to settle for a 25-yard field goal attempt. The initial low line drive kick for Cooper Mizeur came up short, but Massillon Jackson was granted a timeout just before the kick. On the second attempt, the kick barely snuck over the bar. Despite settling for three points, the Polar Bears were able to inch closer (14-10 Titans).
Bowser found Clay for a 35-yard completion with less than a minute left and the Titans continued to push for another score before the end of the half. With two seconds left, Bowser’s hail mary attempt was intercepted in the end zone, concluding the first half with a score of 14-10 Titans.
The Berea-Midpark offense caught fire coming out of the locker room and scored 20 unanswered points in the second half. The first two scores both came by way of Noah Silva who had been quiet in the first half. His burst into open space on the Titans first drive of the half resulted in a 32-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 21-0 Titans. His next score came on the receiving end of a Bowser 10-yard TD pass. The PAT was blocked and the Titans now held a 27-10 lead.
Silva’s impressive third quarter made him a serious player of the game candidate as he wrapped it up with an interception on a 4th and goal attempt for Kuntz and the Polar Bears. Silva was tripped up from behind after returning the interception 42 yards.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Titans capitalized on the takeaway and Bowser hurdled over bodies on the ground for a 3-yard TD. The QB keeper was his third touchdown of the night and the Titans held a commanding 34-10 lead.
When it appeared like the Polar Bears were out of it, they struck back instantly. Kuntz threw a gorgeous ball downfield to Kyle Andrews for a 59-yard TD. Massillon Jackson then pulled a Philly special out of the bag of tricks as running back Kyle Benson found quarterback Nathan Kuntz in the corner of the end zone following a reverse. This moment of brilliance gave the visitors a glimmer of hope at 34-18.
The Titans answered right back behind the legs of Bowser. He bounced the keeper to the right side and no one was around. He raced down the near sideline and had to dive for the front pylon in a footrace. The excellent diving effort resulted in a 30-yard touchdown (41-18 Titans).
Massillon Jackson marched right back down the field and capped off the drive with a Carson Pastorius 10-yard touchdown run to make it a two-score game (41-26).
The Titans tried to kneel down and end the game but the Polar Bears had three remaining timeouts. They used all of those to get the ball back with a minute left. They then pulled off a brilliant hook and ladder resulting in Jamahl Phillips taking the ball all the way down to the Titans 32-yard line. Kuntz heaved one to the endzone on the next play and Dillon Reece was able to secure the interception to conclude the game.
The 41-26 victory in the first round of the playoffs improves the Berea-Midpark record to 7-4. They will now travel to face off against 2nd seeded Cleveland Heights for the second time this season.
Massillon Jackson concludes their season with a record of 5-6.
Tonight’s player of the game is Daniel Bowser III. The quarterback put on a show on the ground and led all rushers tonight. He carried the ball 9 times for 125 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. He also went 13/18 for 225 yards and 1 TD passing. His one INT came on the hail mary at the end of the first half.
Stats
Passing:
(Titans) Bowser – 13/18 for 225 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT
(Polar Bears) Kuntz – 18/35 for 213 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs
Rushing:
(Titans) Bowser – 9 carries for 125 yards and 3 TDs
(Titans) Silva – 11 carries for 62 yards and 1 TD
(Titans) Mendez – 10 carries for 33 yards and 1 TD
(Polar Bears) Pastrorius – 8 carries for 55 yards and 1 TD
Receiving:
(Titans) Clay – 5 receptions for 126 yards
(Titans) Silva – 1 TD
(Polar Bears) Andrews – 5 receptions for 70 yards and 2 TDs
Defensive:
(Titans) Zahursky – 2 sacks
(Titans) Silva – 1 INT
(Titans) Reece – 1 INT
Very impressive commentary.