Mogadore defense makes big plays, defeats Brush 23-9

Mogadore, Ohio – Mogadore came up with a few huge stops Friday night, and defeated Brush, 23-9, in a non-conference tilt Friday night.

Ken Carman of 92.3 The Fan and Friday Night Touchdown was in the building for Friday’s festivities as well.

After the first two possessions came up empty for both teams, Mogadore tried to make their move early on.

The Wildcats moved down the field into the red zone, thanks to a reception by Mason Murphy, but could do nothing with it as Brush held up on defense.

Marshawn Taylor picked off a pass in the second quarter on another drive for the Brush Arcs.

Matt Monah’s 27-yard field goal with 33 seconds left put the Arcs up, 3-0, going into the halftime break.

Sophomore running back Tanelle Rose, winner of the Jenny’s Old Fashioned Popcorn POTW for Week 1, rushed for a 61-yard score. The ensuing PAT was no good, and Brush led 9-0.

Mogadore would answer back later in the third.

On fourth down, quarterback Ezekiel Cameron found senior Mason Murphy in the back corner of the end zone. Will Butler punched in the ensuing two-point conversion, and the Wildcats trimmed their deficit to 9-8.

Senior running back Tyler Knight would play a huge role Friday night. He had several big runs in the third quarter to help the Wildcats gain field position. But he wasn’t done yet.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Tyler Knight took a handoff straight to the house to give the Wildcats the lead. The ensuing two-point conversion was successful, and Mogadore led 16-9.

The Arcs would respond by going to their ground game, getting into the red zone. However, the Wildcat interior came up with a big stop, taking over on downs with 7:15 left.

Mogadore would go for it on fourth and short at their own 21, but came up an inch short, thanks to Brush making a stop of their own.

However, on the ensuing play, junior defensive back Nick Coffman picked off his second pass of the night to give Mogadore back possession.

After another stop by the Brush D, the offense took over at the 20-yard line with 1:23 left.

Devin Graham would pick off a pass and return it to the house to seal the deal for the Wildcats.

The game had an old school feel to it, with neither defense giving so much as an inch. Both defenses came up with key turnovers at various points throughout as well.

Brush (3-1) plays host to Akron North next Friday night.

Mogadore (3-1) plays host to St. Thomas Aquinas to open up Portage Trail Conference play.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Mogadore defense

The Wildcats defense came up huge, especially in the second half. Junior defensive back Nick Coffman had two picks, and sophomore Devin Graham had the game-clinching score. The interior also made a huge goal-line stand in the fourth to maintain the lead.

Check out the highlights below:

https://youtu.be/oIwHcDm-4us