By Colin Harris
Record-Courier staff writer
OSNABURG - With a playoff berth already secured, only a Friday trip to East Canton stood between the Mogadore Wildcats and a second straight outright Portage Trail Conference County Division championship.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, an inspired Hornets team battled through penalties and rain - in equal measure - to earn a 20-14 win and a share of their first league championship in 41 years.
Both teams finish the regular season with 6-1 records in County Division play to tie for the title. Overall, Mogadore is 9-1 and East Canton is 7-3 as each squad prepares for the Division VI state playoffs that begin next week.
"It's such a great thing for this team and we're very happy to share (a PTC County title) with Mogadore," East Canton coach Steve Miller said. "We couldn't have done it without our senior leaders, who stepped up early in the year to navigate the ups and downs of this season."
East Canton never trailed, gashing Mogadore's defense for multiple big plays " primarily from running back Josh Van Voorhis.
The Hornets junior rushed for 140 yards on 12 carries while adding the game's first touchdown on a 24-yard sideline scamper in the first quarter.
All told, East Canton's three main rushers " Van Voorhis, Ben Eyler and Tyler Alspaugh " helped the team amass 260 yards in the muddy conditions.
"We ask our kids on the offensive line to pull a lot and make plays," Miller said. "All the guys on the offensive line take a lot of pride in the holes that they open up."
Mogadore found its footing during the second quarter, putting together a 14-play, 68-yard drive to even the score at 7-7. Sophomore Jake McAvinew capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:45 remaining in the half.
McAvinew saw heavy action in the backfield, rushing for 57 yards on 15 carries. Additionally, the sophomore accounted for both of Mogadore's scores.
Whether it be the conditions or the emotion, both teams often found themselves on the wrong side of the officials' whistles " combining for 135 yards on 17 penalties.
"We'll have to watch the film, but in big games, everyone gets really juiced up," Miller said. "There were some times, though, when I was begging the officials not to throw flags. I didn't even care if it was for or against us."
With under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter and the game still tied at 7, East Canton followed a Mogadore punt with consecutive big runs to get into scoring position. Eyler and Alspaugh rattled off 35- and 22-yard runs, respectively, to bring the ball to the Wildcats' 7.
Two plays " and matching off-setting penalties " later, Eyler punched the ball in from four yards out to give the Hornets a 14-7 edge.
In the fourth quarter, a fumble by East Canton quarterback Landon Schmidt at his own 29-yard line gave the Wildcats another shot at a tie. This time, a fourth-down draw play saw McAvinew reach paydirt, this time from 16 yards out.
East Canton struggled to move the ball on the following possession as a motivated Mogadore squad forced a three-and-out at the Hornets' 41-yard line.
Fate would shine on East Canton, though. On the ensuing punt, the ball hit a Mogadore player " resulting in a loose ball that was recovered by East Canton at the Wildcats' 38-yard line.
Alspaugh wasted little time cashing in as he outraced four Wildcats defenders for a 38-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
Mogadore had one final drive in its tank, taking over the ball at its own 16 with 2:53 remaining. A 47-yard run by sophomore Kodey Chance on third-and-25 moved the ball to the East Canton 37, but the Wildcats' comeback hopes ended on an interception in the end zone.
"They just did a nice job up front against us, and we really struggled to get into a rhythm offensively," Mogadore coach Matt Adorni said. "I felt like they had a little more hunger than us, but it's not all bad. Hopefully, our young guys can learn from this as we get ready for the playoffs."