by BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Heights Tigers battled it out against the Berea-Midpark Titans in an exciting Halloween first-round playoff matchup! The Titans entered the game with a 6-4 record, while the Tigers came in with a 5-5 overall record. With the season on the line, the Titans fended off the hungry Tigers in a Halloween matchup packed with intensity and anticipation. Despite a close first half, the Titans pulled away in the second half, ultimately winning the game 48-24.
The game started off with the Titans’ famously fast-paced offense, scoring on their first drive in 3 minutes and 15 seconds off a 19-yard pass to Nick Reece by star quarterback Dylan Papushak for the touchdown.
The Tigers showed up hungry for a competitive game and fought back on the very next drive, scoring off of a two-yard carry by the speedy sophomore Elijah Harris to tie the game.
However, on the very next possession, the Titans scored again after a strong drive down the field and three first downs. Papushak found a wide-open Andrew Alexander in the endzone for a 20-yard touchdown. The Tigers were unable to respond, and the Titans regained possession at the 2:04 mark in the first quarter.
The Titans were able to capitalize on the momentum, scoring for the third time in three drives. Papushak slung the ball to Nick Reece for a 5-yard touchdown. The Titans just barely missed the extra point, dinking it off the top of the right goalpost, making the score 20-6 in favor of Berea.
The Tigers worked some Halloween magic to score on their first possession of the second quarter, as their quarterback LaMarques Greenwood ran a keeper straight into the endzone on second and one, bringing the score 20-12, still in favor of the Titans.
The Titans opened up their next drive with a 45-yard pass and run by Dylan Maddox. The Titans put together a solid drive before Deon Solomon Jr. sacked Papushak for a loss of 8 yards. After a failed fourth-and-long play, the Tigers gained possession and flipped the script. Jariah Morgan made a catch in the endzone for a 22-yard touchdown, tacking on another six points and bringing the score to 20-18.
The final touchdown of the first half came from the Titans, where Papushak threw a six-yard pass to Dylan Maddox into the endzone, making the score 27-18 with the Titans on top. It would only be right to shout out Berea quarterback Dylan Papushak, who connected on 16 of his 21 passes in the first half, good for 219 yards and four touchdowns!
The Tigers opened the second half with a strong drive, achieving three first downs until Christian Vigilante came up with a great defensive stop, which ended the drive and allowed the Titans to regain possession.
After a couple of empty possessions by both teams, the Titans got the ball back at the 6:24 mark in the third quarter. A rugby-style tush push by the Titans allowed Xaviere Harden to earn the first down. The Titans went on to score with a 10-yard pass and run to Harden on the very next play.
The Tigers fought right back as junior receiver Jariah Morgan cut through the Titan defense and carried the ball into the endzone. The score was now 34-24, still in favor of Berea.
On the very next play, the Titans scored again as Papushak threw an amazing 56-yard pass to Nick Reece, who took it all the way into the endzone. The Titans started to run away with it, as this touchdown made the score 41-25.
The final touchdown of this exciting contest came on the second drive of the fourth quarter. The Titans scored in just two plays on this drive. Papushak chucked up a 42-yard missile to Dylan Maddox, and on the very next play, Papushak found Tyson Clay for a 22-yard touchdown! This exciting, action-packed game ended with a final score of 48-24.
In the win, Berea-Midpark travels to Lakewood next week to play the St. Edward Eagles for the second round of the playoffs.
The Titans had many stars shine bright tonight, but the brightest was quarterback Dylan Papushak, who connected on 21 of his 34 passes, good for a total of 348 yards and six touchdowns.
Titans’ receiver Nick Reece had 7 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Alexander came away with 68 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown. Tyson Clay had 75 receiving yards on 6 catches, and a 25-yard touchdown. Dylan Maddox racked up 125 receiving yards with a six-yard touchdown.
Titans running back Xaviere Harden had himself a night as well, with 156 total rushing yards and a 10-yard touchdown.
The player of the game for the Tigers was their young star running back, Elijah Harris. The sophomore carried the ball 17 times, good for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jariah Morgan also had a good game, coming away with 82 receiving yards and a 22-yard touchdown.
