NEW PHILADELPHIA --
The dream is reality. For the first time since the 1996 season Belmont County is heading back to the State FInals. Then it was Bellaire, this time it's a Shadyside team that seems to be riding on destiny's back.
Last night at New Philadelphia's Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium the Tiger roll continued as the scrappy Shadyside squad showed their focus and determination hammering a stunned Mogadore team by a 45-7 count.
Shadyside never relented executing a game plan that was once again plotted perfectly by the Tigers' coaching staff.
"These kids came out in the first half and were totally focused," said an elated Ty Fleming. "Coach Holenka and Coach Grinch burning the midnight oil really paid off again, we went out tonight and totally shut down a pretty good football team. It's going to be tough to look at this film and find too many mistakes. Gosh these kids are really gelling and they have stayed level-headed I am so proud of the way they played tonight."
The Tigers did what they do best, make the big play. In the process they did much what they did last week against Danville, build a big lead and play relentless defense getting their opponent totally out of their game plan.
"We really couldn't have had it go any better, I think the first play of the game set the tone when Jason Albright came up and laid the leather to Mogadore's running back," commented Fleming. "These kids are always focused and have a never-quit attitude, and now we have to work on getting their feet back on the ground."
On the game's opening drive Mogadore was the recipient of a nice kickoff return beginning their possession on the Shadyside portion of the field at the 42-yard line. Three plays netted only three yards and head coach Matt Adorni decided to push his chips to the middle of the table and go for a first down needing eight yards from the Tigers 40-yard line. As the pass attempt fell incomplete Shadyside's Bill Merryman entered the game for the first time licking his chops at the sight of the Wildcats' man coverage. The fuse would be a short one as Merryman and company went to work on offense. On the Tigers first play from scrimmage Merryman went down the sideline to a streaking Nathaniel Haney. The junior wide out raced right under the perfect toss and strolled into the endzone for a 60-yard score. Less than two minutes into the game Shadyside had a 6-0 lead.
The Tiger defense kept Mogadore at bay and continuously handed the ball back to the offense in good field position.
The second Shadyside scoring drive would begin at their own 41-yard line and this time it looked more like a sustained march and less like a flash of lightning. On the eight play 59-yard drive the Tigers converted a third down and 17 play and capped it with a beautiful flare pass from Merryman to Jovicic that went for 21-yards and a score. The orange-and-black lead grew to 12-0.
Another three-and-out by a deliberate Mogadore offense gave the ball back to Shadyside and these Tigers rarely waste an opportunity.
Two plays was all they would need as Jovicic took the ball off the right side and flew forty yards to paydirt. A Mike Meintel point after would extend the Tiger lead to 19-0.
More defense led to more points for Ty's guys. Three straight incompletions by Mogadore gave the football back to Shadyside and on a play that looked like a carbon copy of the last touchdown Jovicic set out on another 40-yard scoring romp. With just over seven minutes left in the second quarter looks of disbelief emanated throughout the Wildcats faithful. Scratching their heads they looked at the scoreboard and saw a 26-0 Shadyside lead.
On the possession that followed Mogadore would move the football but stall inside Tigers territory. Coach Fleming and company continued to go for the jugular and expose a Wildcats defense so nervous of the Shadyside running game that they committed nine players near the line of scrimmage. A simple three step drop by Merryman and a perfect touch pass to Haney put the Tigers in the endzone again this time from 62-yards away.
As the two clubs headed to the locker room the Tiger fans began to feel pretty good about booking hotel reservations for the greater Canton area. Mogadore had a mountain to climb down 32 points at the break especially with the way Shadyside was playing. They had to say to themselves during the intermission "anything they did in the first half, we can answer in the second."
While it may have been a nice thought the Tigers Jovicic decided to erase any hopes of a Cats' comeback in just one play The senior speedster, who has been playing out of his mind as of late, hauled in the second half kickoff and what started out looking harmless enough ended in another Tigers touchdown. Jovicic raced 87 yards juking- and-jiving past the Mogadore coverage team. As the fans were just finding their seats for the second half the Tigers found their lead growing to 39 points.
In the fourth quarter John Krupa would add a five-yard scoring run and Mogagdore down 45-0 finally broke into the scoring column on a two-yard Cory Destro touchdown plunge.
"We knew we were going to see that man coverage and Billy (Merryman) made a few great throws, we made plays," remarked Fleming. "We watched film of Streetsboro throwing the ball on Mogadore and knew we would see either man coverage or cover two and that we would have to take advantage of our opportunities."
Jovicic rolled up 114 yards on 15 carries with two scores on the ground. He added a touchdown grab and kickoff return stealing the show.
Merryman's performance may get lost in the headlines. All the junior signal-caller did was complete 80 percent of his passes (8-of-10) for 250 yards and three scores.
Haney, his main target, had the type of night that would make Jerry Rice envious. The junior split end hauled in six balls for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
"Taylor (Jovicic) is running so hard and the six guys on the offensive line are leading the way," noted Fleming. "We said at the beginning of the season we were going to hook up to those guys and see what happened, they controlled the game tonight."
Up next for the Tigers is the "Big Show" a Division VI battle with Maria Stein Marion Local with a state championship on the line. The Flyers disposed of Norwalk St. Paul 47-6 last night in Tiffin to advance to Canton's Fawcett Stadium.
"If our fans have never had the opportunity to see Maria Stein Marion Local play they will get to see a team that is the real deal. We know how good they are and that we will have out work cut out for us."
