Recordpub.com - Cats, Rockets played game for the ages

I have talked to several people who were in attendance at the Mogadore-Streetsboro game Friday night, and they believe it was one of the best high school football games they ever witnessed.

I have watched a lot of games in my day and many have been exciting, but Friday night's Wildcat victory in the final minute over Streetsboro was truly one of a kind.

With the County Division crown possibly on the line, Mogadore's Shayne Stewart split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal to give his team a 38-35 win. Stewart is a straight-on kicker who picked up the duties in junior high school, in addition to being a part of the Wildcats' strong defensive line.

There is no doubt that Mogadore fans will long remember the Chuck Moore-led Wildcat win in the 1996 Division VI state championship game, when Mogadore beat St. Henry 61-58 in three overtimes. I had plans to cover that game, but at the last minute had to cancel. I listened to most of the game on a car radio that faded in and out for most of the overtime periods.

The game Friday night was a classic. Most of us in the pressbox figured the eventual winner was going to be the team with the ball last. However, a potential game-tying Streetsboro field goal fell short as time expired, and the Wildcats' victory was preserved.

Other action last Friday saw Rootstown win 38-28 over rival Waterloo, East Canton roll over Windham 41-12, and Garfield pull out a 39-29 comeback victory over Woodridge.

ADORNI IMPRESSED -- Mogadore coach Matt Adorni had a lot of good things to say about his team following the victory over Streetsboro. Adorni is impressed at how quickly his young players have matured.

The fifth-year head coach was also very complimentary of Rockets quarterback Carrington Hanna.

"He is definitely the best quarterback we have seen and probably will see this year," said Adorni. "I believe he can play at the next level, and I hope they win out so he could possibly see some playoff action."

NO ROCKET EXCUSES -- Streetsboro's John Arlesic is the type of coach who will look you square in the eye and take the blame for his team's loss. I have been around John long enough to know that he means every word he says.

"We didn't lose that game on the final play with a missed field goal," he said. "We lost it when we came out for the second half and could not capitalize on our first drive."

The Rockets took the second-half kickoff and drove to the Mogadore 20-yard line before the Wildcats' Jake McAvinew recorded a pair of sacks to halt the drive.

PLAYMAKERS -- Streetsboro's Robert Wilson is one of the best athletes in the PTC, both on the gridiron and hardwood. On Friday night, he made his own highlight reel. His effort -- and second-effort-- on several plays was almost unbelievable. After sitting out the previous week with a shoulder injury, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior was also one of the Rockets' leading tacklers Friday.

Wilson scored a pair of touchdowns with some great moves inside the 10-yard line. He made his final catch of the night with only 43 seconds left on the clock. Running down the sideline in front of the Mogadore bench, Wilson made a one-handed catch that was just in bounds for a 22-yard reception.

COMPUTER RANKINGS -- Mogadore remains in first place in the Division VI, Region 21 computer rankings and controls its own destiny. The Wildcats are virtually assured of a playoff spot and probably will host a first-round game.

Streetsboro dropped to the No. 8 spot in Division III, Region 9. The Rockets need to win out, and they could really help their playoff chances with a victory this week against Garfield in the County Division game of the week. The G-Men (4-3) are a Division IV team ranked 14th in their computer region. Garfield beat Streetsboro last year in a 21-20 thriller.

GARFIELD ERUPTS -- The G-Men scored 29 second-half points Friday to come from behind and beat Woodridge 39-29. Quarterback Travis Macek ran for a pair of touchdowns and tossed a TD pass in the comeback.

Garfield coach Steve Wyllie reported that his team convinced him at halftime to run the ball. Four touchdowns on the ground in the second half helped seal the G-Men victory.

McCOY GETS FIRST -- Rootstown running back Tyler Williams had a career night Friday, rushing for 191 yards to help secure head coach Randy McCoy's first career victory. The young Rovers have been laboring all season, and according to McCoy they played up to their potential Friday night.

"The kids played extremely hard and really deserved the victory," said McCoy. "They have stayed together and worked hard as a team. We have three tough games remaining on the schedule (Woodridge, Garfield, Streetsboro), and they will provide us the opportunity to judge how much progress we have made."