Torrence answers call for Massillon
By CHRIS EASTERLING
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When DeVoe Torrence transferred from Canton South to Massillon last spring, it was for moments like the one he experienced on Saturday afternoon at Fawcett Stadium playing in the 116th edition of the Massillon-McKinley game. Once he got his chance, he wasn?t about to not capitalize on that opportunity.
Torrence gained 134 hard-fought yards on 35 carries, yards which helped the Tigers pull out a 23-20 overtime victory over the Bulldogs.
?It was wild,? Torrence said. ?Just being my first time being a Massillon Tiger playing in the McKinley game, it meant a lot to me. We went out there, I stepped up, Steve Schott stepped up, I mean, we all stepped up. We just got it done.?
For all the big-name opponents Torrence faced for the first time this season, teams like St. Ignatius and Mentor, there is still nothing like the atmosphere surrounding a Massillon-McKinley game. But he wasn?t about to let that effect him.
?There were no jitters,? Torrence said. ?(Tiger coach Tom) Stacy got us coached up and had us ready to play.?
The Ohio State-bound senior came into the game needing just 72 yards to top the 1,000-yard plateau. He did that by halftime, when he had 81 yards on 17 carries as the two teams went into the locker room tied at 7-7.
He finished with 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns, after scoring a pair against McKinley.
?DeVoe is just a heck of an athlete,? Tiger center Blake Seidler said. ?I give him all the credit in the world. He got over that 1,000-yard mark today, so what?s that tell you.?
Torrence did so despite the fact McKinley was attempting to key on him every time he touched the ball. He only had three plays over 10 yards or more, as he had to fight ? like the rest of his Tiger teammates ? for just about every yard.
?DeVoe?s a warrior,? Tiger quarterback Chris Willoughby said. ?He has heart and he runs the ball hard every play. He did a great job.?