South pushes back brave Mayfield to 7-0 – News-Herald

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In the three quarters, South appeared to be in control and headed for a dominant win over his visit to Mayfield on Oct. 1, leading 21-2 early in the fourth quarter.

As ESPN’s Lee Corso says: Not so fast, my friend.

The Wildcats rallied and drew at 21-15, and recovered the ball in their 33rd with 1:14 remaining and a chance for a superb comeback victory.

Mayfield senior Devin Sperling completed 12 and 14 yard passes to move the Wildcats into rebel territory. On a fourth and two at South 33, senior Steven Daugherty had four yards for a first down.

Four games later, Sperling converted another fourth down on a 12-yard run to junior Nick Biega, giving the Wildcats a first down on South 16 with seven seconds on the clock.

Back to the wall and an unbeaten season in play, the Rebels’ defense held firm. Two passes from Sperling in the dying seconds were incomplete and the Rebels rushed onto the pitch to celebrate a thrilling victory on the comeback.

“You have to give Mayfield a lot of credit,” South coach Matt Duffy said. “They did a great job and made it interesting.

“We told our kids that we need to be a lot more disciplined. We’ve had too many penalties, too many critical penalties. We were trying to put the game aside, and you can’t have penalties in that situation. So a self-inflicted plot, but our kids are resilient. We are 7-0 and have found a lousy way to win.

PHOTOS: South-Mayfield football, October 1, 2021

For Mayfield (0-7, 0-3 WRC), a young team that has faced one of Northeast Ohio’s toughest slates this season, the near-disruption should provide the necessary momentum for them. last three games.

“We’re 0-6 and a 21-2 lead, it’s so easy to just fold the tent,” said Mayfield coach Ross Bandiera. “Things didn’t go the way we wanted most of the night, but we found ways to fight, to score, to get saves in defense. We go down inside the (20), and the ball bounces, and it kind of floats in the air. I was hoping one of our guys would come with it.

“Our kids deserved it, but it was a fun game to play. Finally, for the first time this year, we had a fun game to play, against a damn good football team.”

South’s Andrew Osagie-Erese wears October 1 against Mayfield (Frank Gambatese – for The News-Herald)

It was South (7-0, 3-0 WRC) who had the most fun during the first three frames. Despite the absence of three key members of the offensive backfield – quarterback Colin Quinlan and RBs Ira Sampson and Tyrone Singleton – the Rebels got off to a quick start, covering 59 yards in six games to take a 7-0 lead on a eight-yard run by sophomore Delond Moss.

After a punt trade, South recovers a fumble from Mayfield, the only turn-over of the game, near the midfielder. Four games later, QB second quarterback Gabe Hanslik, replacing Quinlan, ran for 23 yards for a Rebels touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Mayfield eventually lost his offense after that, and Sperling completed four passes on a long haul that missed the fourth and south 3-yard line by one yard.

On the next play, Daugherty tackled a southern running back in the end zone for safety to make it 14-2 at the start of the second quarter, and that was the score at halftime.

South took advantage of a short field after a punt return from junior Bryce Figler that put the Rebels at Mayfield 19 early in the third quarter, and senior Andrew Osagie-Erese covered that distance in two points to put South , 21-2.

Mayfield couldn’t take advantage of a sensational catch from Biega who set up a South 5 first and goal on the next possession, knocking the ball over the downs.

“These are just the signs of the times for Mayfield football right now,” Bandiera said. “We have a hard time making the game when we need it.
We finally started doing it in the fourth quarter, and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season. “

Sperling found senior Nathan Moon on the sidelines early in the fourth quarter, and Moon took the rest of the way for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 21-8.

After forcing a punt, the Wildcats covered 65 yards in 11 games, almost all rushing, and Sperling found the paydirt in fourth of 4 to cut the deficit to 21-15 with 3:54 to go, then forced another punt after giving up a first down on a pass interference call to try one last chance for the win.

South, who reached 7-0 for the first time since 2012, when Kareem Hunt was in the backfield for the Rebels, was edged 305-228 and incurred 13 penalties for 117 yards.

But the shorthanded Rebels victory was crucial with a three-game glove from Kenston, Chardon and Riverside still ahead.

“Just learn from our mistakes,” Duffy said of the nearly upset. “Try to be a little cleaner, sometimes it’s good to have a fear like this and refocus.”

South will travel to Kenston on October 8, while Mayfield will host North the same night.



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