Rayen defense dominates in win

The Tigers scored all three of their touchdowns after Wilson fumbles.
& lt;a href=mailto:kovach@vindy.com & gt;By JOHN KOVACH & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The blocking and tackling were bruising. The competition was tenacious. The motivation to win was strong.
But it also was a sloppily-played game full of mistakes, penalties and missed scoring opportunities by both teams.
The Rayen School's defense saved the game, as the Tigers capitalized on three Woodrow Wilson High fumbles to score three touchdowns -- all in the first half -- for a 19-0 victory Thursday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Taking advantage
Senior running back Phil Morgan raced 6 yards to Rayen's first TD after junior linebacker Derrick Slocum's fumble recovery in the first quarter, and senior Dorian Freeman's point-after kick made it 7-0.
Then, in the second quarter, junior linebacker Marvin Stanford scooped up a fumble and ran 10 yards to a TD. Late in the period, the Tigers' recovered another fumble at the Wilson 32, and scored on the first play when junior quarterback Mark Jones hit senior wide receiver Mike Triplett on a 32-yard pass with 1:00 remaining.
Jones had come off the bench to replace starting sophomore quarterback Dennis Pixley.
But the remainder of the game was full of mistakes and missed chances. Wilson missed on five scoring opportunities and Rayen three.
"It was a real sloppy game. I just don't know the reason for it," said Rayen (3-6, 2-1 City Series) coach Brian Shaner, who thought the players got carried away with the rivalry that has developed between the schools.
"Both teams lose focus. They do what they want to do," he said.
But Shaner was pleased with one aspect of his team's performance.
"We had 25 guys on defense and every one of them stepped up," said Shaner, who singled out Slocum and senior linebacker Devon Johnson.
Shaner also said Morgan was a bright spot on offense.
"Phil Morgan ran real aggressively. He was picking his holes and running hard. He made some big plays."
Wilson (0-9, 0-2) senior quarterback Sean Cook turned in a strong performance before suffering a concussion with about three minutes remaining in the game.
Losing control
Wilson fumbled on the first play following the opening kickoff, and Slocum recovered at the Redmen's 44 to set up a six-play scoring drive capped by Morgan's run.
Rayen mishandled a punt and Wilson senior linebacker Rodney Warren recovered at the 5. But the Redmen couldn't capitalize, and three plays later Rayen got the ball back on senior linebacker Aaron Thomas' interception at the Tigers' 6.
Early in the second quarter, the Redmen advanced to the Tigers' 3-yard line, but were pushed back to the 18 by penalties.
Rayen took over and drove to the Wilson 25 on the strength of a 46-yard pass to junior wide receiver Korey McMillan. But the threat failed as Marquell McClane of Wilson intercepted at the Wilson 11.
However, on Wilson's next play, Stanford grabbed a fumble at the 10 and ran it in for a score for a 13-0 lead in the second quarter.
Defensive stand
Later in the second, Wilson launched a drive to the Rayen 19, but Cook was sacked at the 43 and Rayen took control.
But the Tigers couldn't advance, and punted to the Wilson 37.
However, the Redmen fumbled on the first play at the 32, and then Jones hit Triplett with a TD pass on the first play for a 19-0 lead.
Wilson sophomore Gary Scott returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards to the Rayen 4, but the Redmen were pushed back and then time ran out in the half.
& lt;a href=mailto:kovach@vindy.com & gt;kovach@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;