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Throughout Twinsburg Tiger territory, this week’s game represented one thing: revenge. After the Tigers were shutout by the Willoughby South Rebels last season, they had something to prove coming into week two. Sophomore quarterback Joey Pollock was going to make sure the battle was a closer contest.
Pollock and the crew put up a great fight but, South would come out on top. After overcoming an early deficit, the Rebels won the battle by a final score of 35-34.
FIRST HALF
After this season, you can bet that these two teams will be a bit more than “friendly rivals,” as there was no love lost out on Tiger Field during Friday night’s game. A mesmerizing quarterback matchup made for a heated back-and-forth affair as Pollock and Rebel senior Colin Quinlan each contributed multiple touchdowns and cleared 200 yards through the air.
The Rebels run a hurry-up offense featuring an explosive playmaking trio of Tyrone Singleton, Delond Moss, and Bryce Figler.
After receiving the game’s opening kickoff, the Rebels marched the ball 60 yards down the field on 10 plays. Quinlan capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Tiger offense took to the field and immediately raised their wager, going 11 plays and 72 yards. Aiden Stuczynski scored after a 14 yard run. However, the extra point attempt was fumbled.
The Tiger defensive line started coming after Quinlan early into the Rebels’ second drive. After three incompletions and a slew of QB scrambles, the Rebels punted. The Tigers received the ball on the 31-yard line, and it did not take long for them to score as Pollock connected with junior wide-out Steven Cammack, who finished with 2TD’s and 224 yards receiving.
This time, Twinsburg’s 2-point conversion attempt was successful, and the Tigers took a touchdown lead with less than a minute to go in the first.
The Rebel’s were into opposing territory on their first play of their next drive, after a 35-yard connection to Moss, but 3 plays later they had to give the ball right back. Quincy Newsom, the Tiger’s senior running back, led a 5-minute drive deep into Rebel territory.
Ultimately though, he turned the ball over on downs in the red zone with 5:57 to go in the second quarter. Newsom was one of the many bright spots in tonight’s game for the Tigers, though. He was able to pick up over 100 all-purpose yards despite battling through an injury for most of the second half.
Still down 14-7, the ensuing Rebel possession was one of their most impressive of the night. Starting from their own eight, Quinlan first found junior wideout Terrion Singleton for 36 yards. He dazzled moments later, delivering a 58-yard strike to Moss with 4:22 to go in the half.
SECOND HALF
With the game tied at 14, Twinsburg received the opening kickoff of the second half. After picking up 11 yards on the first play, Newsom came out of the game with an injury. Still, the Tiger offense was able to take over seven minutes off of the clock. All that work paid dividends for them. It ended with a 10-yard touchdown reception, courtesy of tight end Declan Malenchak.
The Rebels took the field for the first time in the second half. After a few small gains on the ground, running back Tyrone Singleton was able break open a big run. He cut once, then twice, for a 52-yard score that cut through the heart of Tiger Nation.
With Newsom back in the game and the Tigers pinned deep in their own territory, Pollock looked to connect with him on back-to-back screen attempts. The first pass was batted down by defensive lineman Lukkas Kutz. The second was returned by him for 6 points in the other direction. In less than a minute-and-a-half, the Rebels had gone from down 7 to up 6. Their extra point attempt was thwarted by a bad snap and the score remained 27-21 after three quarters.
A 33-yard kickoff return by junior Steven Cammack allowed the Tiger offense set up shop in enemy territory. Cammack continued to make things happen, which led to Malenchak’s second TD reception with 8 minutes to go. Once again, the Tigers lead 28-27.
On the next kickoff, Tiger kicker Tyler Seegert found himself as the last man standing between Bryce Figler, the Rebel’s kick returner, and the endzone. A 90-yard return helped Tyrone Singleton put his team back in front with an 8-yard touchdown run. Quinlan then connected with Figler on the Rebels’ two-point conversion attempt to give them a 35-28 lead.
Twinsburg’s next drive resulted in a turnover on downs, but they were able to earn another chance to tie the game after forcing a Rebel punt with under 2 minutes to go. Pollock delivered his second touchdown pass to Cammack, a 58-yard bomb that brought them within one point with 1:06 left on the clock.
Even with the time not on their side, Tiger head coach Charles Saulter wanted to give his team a chance to go for the win. He drew up a bootleg, and as Pollock rolled right, the space between him and the endzone collapsed. Showing poise, Pollock connected with junior CJ Lyden right on the 1-yard line. South was all over it though. He was immediately met by 3 Rebels who forced him out just short of the goal line.
After a failed onside kick, the Rebel offense took victory formation and escaped Tiger Nation with a narrow 1-point victory.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Willoughby South: DL Lukkas Kutz
Pick-6, 1 sack, 5 total tackles
Twinsburg: LB Major Grant
4.5 tackles, 2 pass deflections
