by The Glenville Tarblooders continued their quest for back-to-back state championships against the Shelby Whippets at Pioneer Stadium in Elyria. The Tarblooders dominated this game wire to wire, winning by a final of 50-14. Glenville got contributions from everyone who touched the field in what was a true all-around effort.
The Whippets brought out some trickery on their opening drive, trying a fake punt from their own territory. The Tarblooders were able to snuff it out and take over with good field position. On the first offensive play for Glenville, quarterback Ruel Tomlinson would find Damarion Witten down the field for a 37-yard touchdown. Shelby would try another trick play on their next drive, but disaster would strike for the Whippets. The ball was fumbled on a pitch back to quarterback Brayden Devito and recovered by the Calvet Dessau of the Tarblooders for a touchdown. Glenville very quickly took a 14-0 lead.
The Tarblooders would extend their lead when D’Shawntae Jones broke free for a 37-yard rushing touchdown. Glenville’s defense continued to stifle the Shelby offense, not giving a first down until mid-way through the second quarter. Ruel Tomlinson would add a rushing touchdown to put the Tarblooders up 29-0. On the next Whippets drive Jordon Johnson would intercept Brayden Devito over the middle of the field. Shelby’s defense would follow that up with turnover of their own when the Tarblooders fumbled an exchange on the handoff.
Shelby would hit their first huge offensive play when Brayden Devito found Miles Swisher deep for a 33-yard completion. That completion set up the Whippet’s first touchdown of the night. Devito hit a wide-open Issiah Beck in the back of the endzone to make the score 29-7. However, the Tarblooders would strike right back. D’Shawntae Jones would score his second rushing touchdown of the night, this time from the 1 yard out. Glenville would hold a 35-7 lead going into halftime.
Jamari Townsend would start the second half off with a bang, taking the opening kickoff back for another Glenville touchdown. The Tarblooder defense would then force a turnover on downs by stuffing Whippets running back Skyler Winters on fourth down. A huge run by Ruel Tomlinson would put the Tarblooders back in the redzone. Tomlinson would then make a rare mistake, missing high over the middle and being intercepted by Maverick Noel.
In the fourth quarter Micquan Gravely would get in on the fun for Glenville. Gravely would add one more touchdown for the Tarblooders, making the score 50-7. Shelby would hit their longest play of the night late in the fourth quarter. Brayden Devito threw a perfect deep ball to Issaiah Ramsey for a 75-yard touchdown. Glenville would end up winning by a final score of 50-14. The Tarblooders are moving on to the regional final to take on the Perkins Pirates.
Player of the Game: D’Shawntae Jones 13 RUSH 123 YDS 2 TD
