ASHLAND — There was only one thought running through Mansfield Senior quarterback Cam Todd’s mind after Ashland took the lead late in the fourth quarter Friday at Community Stadium.
“They left us way too much time,” Todd said.
Making just his second start after transferring from Ontario and sitting out the first five games, Todd orchestrated an 11-play, 72-yard drive in the closing minutes as the Tygers stunned the Arrows 26-21.
Senior High (3-4, 1-2 Ohio Cardinal Conference) snapped an ugly three-game losing streak, while Ashland (5-2, 2-1) saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.
The Arrows trailed 19-0 early in the fourth quarter before scoring 21 unanswered points. Quarterback Mitch Heilman threw three touchdown passes in less than six minutes. The first two went to Cade McQuate and the go-ahead score came on an 18-yarder to Ross Garrison with 3:42 remaining.
That’s when Todd and the Tygers took over.
Mansfield Senior took possession at its own 28 yard line with 3:41 remaining. Todd, who had lined up under center the entire evening, dropped into the shotgun formation and meticulously moved the Tygers down the field. He accounted for all 72 yards on the drive, rushing for 41 yards on five carries and completing 4 of 6 passes for 31 yards, including the game-winning 5 yard scoring strike to Angelo Grose with just 23 seconds remaining.
“It was a boot(leg) and we ran it three times before in the game,” Todd said. “He was there, but I was being a little cautious. I didn’t trust myself because I didn’t throw the ball much until the fourth quarter.
“It was to the back pylon and we go over it in practice every day.”
The final drive looked nothing like the Tygers who built a 19-0 lead. Todd was lined up under center and spent much of the first three quarters handing the ball off to Amajeon Robertson, TaVion Harris and Tre’suan Windham. Robertson led the way with 122 yards on 29 carries, including a 1 yard touchdown plunge early in the fourth quarter to give the Tygers a 19-0 lead. Harris scampered for 82 yards on 17 carries and scored on 6-yard run late in the second quarter. Windham picked up 49 yards on five carries and scored Senior High’s first touchdown of the evening, a 31-yarder midway through the first quarter.
“We were able to establish the run and that is what Tyger football is all about,” Senior High coach Chioke Bradley said. “We met as a staff and came to the conclusion that when we were at our best earlier in the season, we got under center and leaned on our offensive line and our tight ends and our running backs.”
The look caught the Arrows by surprise.
“They did some different things tonight that they hadn’t done all year,” Ashland coach Scott Valentine said. “We had to make some adjustments and I think our kids did that.
“We took the lead but they made some plays and got the win.”
Heilman was under duress much of the evening, but still completed 11 of 25 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns. McQuate had three catches for 53 yards, while Mason Kanz had three grabs for 51 yards. The Arrows managed just 11 rushing yards.
“I take my hat off to the Ashland Arrows and Scott Valentine. There’s a reason why they’re 5-1,” Bradley said. “I loved the way we played football. If we execute and stay disciplined, we can beat anybody. That’s what we’ve been telling our kids from day one.”
