Overtime thriller Late lead Twinsburg past Southview, into second round by Steve Batko ~ Twinsburg Bulletin Correspondent

Even with 14 new starters this season, the Twinsburg football team beat a second seed in the first round of the Division I state playoffs.

Senior Jake Russell nailed a 20-yard field goal in to give the seventh-seeded Tigers (10-1) to a 24-21 win Nov. 6 over previously undefeated Sylvania Southview (10-1) in Sylvania.

The Tigers play third-seeded Toledo Whitmer in a regional semifinal clash at Ashland Community Stadium Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Whitmer defeated Massillon 28-24 Nov. 6 to advance.

If Twinsburg defeats Whitmer, they will play a regional championship game next weekend. The locals would face the winner between Toledo St John's Jesuit and Medina (9-2).

"We're still playing," said fourth-year head coach Mark Solis.

Russell's field goal on the final play of the first overtime clinched the win as Twinsburg's defense held in the overtime's first possession.

"I thought the guys handled the trip very well and I am proud of them," said Solis. "We are a much different team than last year. It took us a while to get adjusted to them, but the offense didn't have any turnovers and the defense hunkered ."

Solis saw his club convert of three fourth-down situations in the win over Southview, which had the first possession of overtime.

After a 5-yard to start overtime, Twinsburg's defense had back-to-back sacks by tackles Sam Sims and Brett Gulosh. Well beyond field goal range, the Cougars had a fourth-down pass batted down.

Sims had an 11-yard loss while Gulosh dropped the Southview passer for a loss of eight on third down. Gulosh had four sacks in the game, including two in overtime.

"Gulosh did an excellent job for us," said his coach.

Solis showed patience as Russell was ready. Sophomore John Barton got most of the carries from the 20 to inside the 3-yard line. The strong-legged Russell then nailed it setting off celebrations on the Tigers' sideline.

"Jake is one heck of a kicker, but that's what we were playing for," said Solis. "We were playing for overtime at the end at their place. The running in overtime and everything was conservative for me."

"I thought our offensive line was more physical late in the game and we wore them down."

The Cougars led 7-0 when Nick Jozsa capped a long drive on a 13-yard run up the gut of the Tiger defense.

"They scored very easily on their first drive, but we knew they had athletes, and it just took us some time," said Solis. "The defense came on strong and our big key was we had no turnovers in the game."

Trailing 7-0 after one quarter, Twinsburg senior Aaron Macer busted a 75-yard scoring run down the sideline at 8:54 of the second period.

Macer set up the Tigers' next score with a 43-yard run down to the Cougar 2. Barton then scored to give Twinsburg a 14-7 lead with 5:34 left in the second quarter. Barton and Macer had great games. Macer ended with 10 carries for 123 yards and one . He also completed 5-of-7 passing for 43 yards.

Barton ran 22 times for 79 yards and two , plus had three catches for 24 yards. "Barton was a warrior for us," said Solis.

However, Allen Gant, Southview's lone player back from its 2008 Division II state title team, struck back. He took a pitch from a halfback and had a 45-yard strike to Todd Vandercook to tie the game at 14-14 with 3:27 left in the half.

Twinsburg took the opening possession of the second half and went 65 yards to go up 21-14 on a 1-yard run by Barton. The Tigers converted on a fourth-and-seven in Southview territory. Macer's 12 and 14-yard runs set up the touchdown.

Southview's David Vandercook (138 yards passing) hit Conner Chuba on a 34-yard touchdown toss to cap an 80-yard scoring drive to tie it 21-21 with 5:49 left. Twice, Tiger athletes dropped two on the drive.

"That's why they are playing defense," said Solis, about two of his team's three dropped interceptions.

However, Twinsburg's defense held after Southview had the on the Tiger 38 with 3:41 to play. A 36- yard field goal was wide right with 1:37 to play, which sent the game to overtime.

"We relish the underdog role, but these games come down to who can make fewer mistakes," said Solis.

Whitmer to present major challenge

Whitmer, 10-1, has plenty of talent as the Panthers are playing in their fourth playoffs in five years.

The Panthers have a pair of bookend defensive ends in Ohio State recruit Kenny Hayes and Division I recruit Chris Wormley plus standouts like linemen Chris Reaper (6-5, 250), Storm Norton (6-8, 260), defensive tackle Andy Maciolek, and linebacker Jamar Ridley.

A pair of underclassmen running backs -- Jody Webb and Tre Sterritt -- are used. Both have more than 1,000 total yards this season as does quarterback Alex Palicki.

Twinsburg will have to limit those backs, who are often used as receivers along with Alonzo Lucas and OSU basketball recruit Nigel Hayes, a 6-7, 215-pound sophomore.

"I think Whitmer is similar to us, but they are strong," said Solis.

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 311

From the desk of Mr. Popovich (Athletic Director)

The Twinsburg Tigers emerged victoriously last Saturday evening with a 24 to 21 overtime win over the previously unbeaten Sylvania Southview Cougars. The Tigers now advance into the OHSAA Division I Regional Semi-finals against Toledo Whitmer. Please note the following information, also listed on the THS Athletic Homepage.

Division I Football Playoff Information Date: Saturday - November 13th, 2010 Time: 7:00 p.m. Opponent: Toledo Whitmer Panthers Location: Ashland High School Stadium 1440 King Rd. Ashland, OH 44805 Distance: 63 miles (one way)

Tickets: No discount for senior citizens, students, or school employees are given - children under the age of 7 are still FREE

Pre-sale ($7) - a portion of the proceeds goes back to the Twinsburg High School Athletic Department - please utilize this option as tickets will be on sale the following days and times:

Thursday morning/afternoon: 10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - THS Commons Thursday evening: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - THS Commons Friday morning/afternoon: 10:30 a.m. - 2:05 p.m. THS Commons/Athletic Office At the gate ($9) - ALL of the proceeds go back to the OHSAA Parking: Possible charge of $2 or $3 per car

Spirit Buses: This will again be an available option for students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (THS students ONLY) - the cost will be $10 per person which will include a ticket to the game. More information is to follow as the week progresses but theses buses will most likely depart the high school at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13th.

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, Alex Popovich Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Twinsburg High School

Twinsburg football travels to NW Ohio and wins in OT Share By JEFF BREWER - Sportsink.com

SPORTSINK.COM PHOTOBack-to-back sacks in overtime by Brett Gulosh (left) and Sam Sims helped Twinsburg win its first-round state playoff football game Saturday in Sylvania. The Tigers upset Southview 24-21.

SYLVANIA, Ohio - The Twinsburg Tigers have delivered a huge playoff win for Northeast Ohio .

Senior Jake Russell's 20-yard field goal on the final play of the first overtime lifted the seventh-seeded Tigers (10-1) to a 24-21 win over previously undefeated, No. 2 seed Sylvania Southview (10-1) at Cats Stadium.

"We handled the trip very well," fourth-year Twinsburg coach Mark Solis said. "I loved the focus of these kids all day. Our kids came ready to play. They traveled 140 miles.

"I'm so proud of our kids. I'm proud of my coaches."

According to Solis, Southview had lost one home game in the last four seasons.

"They had some play makers, and they were 10-0 for a reason," Solis said. "We probably had seen only one or two teams at this level in terms of being good during the regular season."

The Tigers advance to play Toledo Whitmer in Division I, Region 2 semifinal next Saturday at 7 p.m. at a neutral site to be determined.

Southview had the first possession of overtime. After a 5-yard rush, back-to-back sacks registered by Twinsburg defensive linemen Sam Sims and Brett Gulosh put the Cougars in fourth and forever and well beyond field-goal range. Then the fourth-down pass was batted down.

For Sims, it was his third sack of the season and it resulted in an 11-yard loss. It could not have come at a better time for the Tigers.

"I was more than happy to get that sack and put my team in the right position," said Sims, listed at 6- foot-3, 270 pounds.

Gulosh dropped the Southview passer for a loss of eight on third down.

"We came in thinking we were faster on all levels," said Gulosh, a 6-foot, 255-pounder. "I just used my speed to get around him."

The Tigers knew they needed only to score points and that a field goal would get the job done. Sophomore John Barton did most of the work in carrying the ball from the 20 inside the 3-yard line. Russell, in effect, kicked an extra point for the win.

"My mind was pretty much going crazy the whole game and when they called on me for the field goal I was under a lot of pressure, but thankfully I came through and made it," Russell said. "I had made every extra point tonight and I was just going through the motions on that one. I have to thank my line. They blocked. Nobody really rushed me. It was just a smooth kick."

Trailing 7-0 after one quarter, Twinsburg settled down after senior quarterback Aaron Macer popped a 75- yard scoring run at 8:54 of the second quarter.

"Our line opened up a big and I just had to run for the ," Macer said.

"Aaron Macer had a heckuva of a football game for us tonight at quarterback," Solis said.

Barton's 2-yard TD run gave the Tigers a 14-7 edge before Southview's Allen Gant uncorked a big-league throw -- a 45-yard touchdown spiral -- to Todd Vandercook to make it 14-14 at half.

The Tigers took the opening possession of the second half and marched 65 yards to go on top 21-14. Included in that drive was a conversion on fourth-and-seven in Southview territory. Macer's 12- and 14- yard runs set up a 1-yard scoring plunge by Barton.

With 11:10 to play, Southview took over at its own 20, following Russell's miss on a 45-yard field goal attempt. The Cougars made a fourth-and-one from their own 29, later converted on third-and-13 and then scored the tying touchdown on third-and-nine from the Tigers 34 to complete the 80-yard drive. Todd Vandercook connected with Konnor Chuba on the scoring toss with 5:49 left.

The Tigers dropped two potential interceptions on the drive to keep the Cougars in business.

After a Twinsburg three-and-out, Southview gained possession on the Tigers 38 with 3:41 to play. Another third-and-long conversion put the Cougars on the Tigers 25, but a missed 36-yard field goal with 1:37 to play set the stage for overtime.

Macer finished with nine carries for 128 yards and one touchdown. He also completed 5-of-7 throws for 33 yards. Barton ran the ball 23 times for 87 yards.

Southview falls in OT to Twinsburg

By DONALD EMMONS BLADE SPORTS WRITER (Toledo Blade Article )

Southview's first trip into the Division I playoffs required playing into overtime with Twinsburg before determining which team would move on to the second round of the postseason.

After Southview failed to score with the overtime's first possession, Twinsburg place-kicker Jake Russell finished off the contest with a 20-yard field goal to upend the Cougars 24-21 at Cats Stadium.

"We had some opportunities during the game and we didn't get it done," Southview coach Jim Mayzes said.

The Cougars (10-1) entered the playoffs hoping to rekindle some of that championship magic from two years ago when they went 15-0 and claimed the Division II state championship.

Southview's David Vandercook (9-for-19 138 yards) connected with Conner Chuba on a 34-yard touchdown completion with just under six minutes left in the game to tie the score at 21-21.

Southview kicker Brad Kurtz had a chance to put the Cougars ahead late in the contest. However, Kurtz's 35-yard field goal try sailed wide right with 1:37 remaining, ultimately sending the game into OT.

The Cougars struck first and took a 7-0 lead when Nick Jozsa finished off a long drive with a 13-yard run right through the middle of the Tigers defense.

But it didn't take Twinsburg (10-1) long to tie the score.

The Tigers' Aaron Macer, who finished with 128 yards rushing on nine carries, scored on a 75-yard run when he streaked down the sideline with just under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Macer set up the Tigers' next score with a 43-yard run down to the Cougars' 2 before he was knocked out of bounds. John Barton gave Twinsburg a 14-7 lead when he scored on a two-yard run with 5:34 left in the second quarter.

Yet, falling behind the Tigers didn't seem to faze the Cougars.

They answered with a quick score of their own.

Southview surprised Twinsburg when an apparent run play became a 45-yard touchdown completion.

Wideout Allen Gant took a pitch from a Southview halfback and fired deep to Todd Vandercook, who pulled in the pass as he fell into the end zone with 3:27 remaining in the half.

The Cougars went into halftime tied with the Tigers at 14-14.

Barton gave Twinsburg a 21-14 lead when capped a Tigers' drive with a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Contact Donald Emmons at: [email protected] or 419-724-6302.

Playoff Gear Available!

2010 Playoff gear is now available. Hoodies and T-Shirts will be sold at lunch for $12 and $30. Here are the designs.

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