Running back runs past tackler
Owen Sloan sheds a Malvern tackler on his way downfield in Friday night's Sweeet 16 playoff encounter at Massillon Perry's Wakefield Stadium. Sloan ran for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Credit: Tom Theodore

MASSILLON — How often do you see a Hail Mary play work? How often do you see it twice in one game?

Hillsdale quarterback Kael Lewis fired a pair of Hail Mary’s, one at the half, one at the end of the game, and both prayers were answered. The Falcons have never won a more pressure-packed football game in a more improbable fashion than they did on Friday night.

On the final play of the game, Falcons’ sophomore lofted a 36-yard Hail Mary into the end zone. The ball was tipped and plucked out of the air by junior Hayden McFadden in the back of the end zone to secure an incredible, 50-48 win over third-seeded Malvern in a Division VII, Region 25 semifinal shootout at Massillon Perry High School.

It was a repeat of another tipped-ball sequence that turned the way of coach Trevor Cline’s club at the end of the second quarter.

Shocking stuff.

The stunning ending sends second-seeded Hillsdale (12-1) into next week’s regional championship game against ninth-seeded Cuyahoga Heights. The Red Wolves (8-4) upset fifth-seeded Warren John F. Kennedy 21-19 in the region’s other Sweet 16 matchup.

The Falcons will learn the location of their Elite Eight encounter on Sunday when the Ohio High School Athletic Association announces the postseason pairings.

Sloan’s TD pass capped a thrilling comeback in a wild, back-and-forth affair at Massillon Perry’s Wakefield Stadium.

The hard-luck Hornets finished the season with an 11-2 record.

(These photos are courtesy of Tom Theodore)

  • Credit: Ashland Source file photo
  • Running back runs past tackler
    Owen Sloan sheds a Malvern tackler on his way downfield in Friday night’s Sweeet 16 playoff encounter at Massillon Perry’s Wakefield Stadium. Credit: Tom Theodore

Malvern struck first when Nate Ezell returned a pick-six 11 yards and Roy Simmons’ two-point conversion run made it 8-0 less than four minutes into the game.

Owen Sloan’s 8-yard TD run sliced the advantage to 8-6. But Malvern moved on top 14-6 a when Simmons caught a 36-yard TD pass from Jared Withrow.

The Falcons responded by dominating the second period.

Sloan’s 32-yard touchdown jaunt and A.J. Brown’s PAT sliced the margin to 14-13. Brown added a 32 yard field goal to give the Falcons their first lead at 16-14. But Malvern regained the advantage via Drake Hutchinson’s 2-yard TD run for a 20-16 spread.

Then, on a play that proved to be a teaser for the finish, Lewis heaved a 36-yard Hail Mary that was tipped and collected by Brock Bower just inside the front corner of the end zone as the half ended. Brown’s PAT sent the Falcons to the locker room with a 23-20 advantage.

Hillsdale owned the third quarter, and seemed to take control of the game.

Sloan scored on a 1-yard plunge and Lewis threw a 26-yard TD strike to McFadden that gave Cline’s squad a 37-20 bulge heading to the final 12 minutes.

But Malvern came roaring back.

Julius Gore started the rally with a 1-yard dive and the two-point conversion pass sliced the gap to 37-28.

Sloan’s 12-yard run stemmed the tide momentarily, but Withrow rifled a 65-yard touchdown strike to Simmons, and Malvern took a 48-44 lead to the final seconds.

That set the stage for the thrilling final play.

Sloan finished with 285 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Lewis threw for 149 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons compiled 533 yards of total offense, including 383 on the ground.

Withrow threw for 418 yards, while Simmons had 117 yards receiving and 71 yards rushing. The Hornets finished with a whopping 612 yards in total offense.

I've lived in Richland County since 1990, married here, our children were born here. This is home. I have two books published on a passion topic, Ohio high school football. Others: Buckeyes, Cavs, Bengals,...