Friday, October 22, 2004
Charles Coles' extra point kick gave the Tigers a 13-12 victory.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ryan Wallace's 9-yard run, coupled with the conversion kick by Charles Coles in the third overtime, lifted The Rayen School to a 13-12 City Series victory over Woodrow Wilson High in a City Series football game Thursday night at Stambaugh Stadium.
In a game that featured a combined 21 rushing plays of negative yardage, it was only fitting that Wallace's final two rushes of the game would cover the distance to the end zone for the Tigers, setting up Coles' game-winning kick.
"The last two running plays by Wallace were designed just for him," Tigers coach Brian Shaner said. "We told our wide receivers to dig in, that we would run right behind them. [Charles] Coles has an excellent leg and that really was the difference in the game for us."
It looked as though neither team would get untracked in the first half, as the Redmen (1-8, 1-1) managed just 15 total yards on 23 plays. The Tigers (5-4, 2-1), on the other hand, had only 78 yards on 24 snaps.
The fact Wilson was held to minus-9 yards on 16 carries spoke volumes about the Tiger defense.
"I don't know what has happened to us but since Week 6 we've played flat in the first half," Shaner said. "We're lucky to have an excellent defense. They play hard, hit hard and have been our backbone each and every week. Our defense dictates what we do offensively."
Back and forth
After a scoreless third period the Redmen wasted little time getting on the board in the final quarter. Quarterback Darrell Patterson hit Terrance Edmonds with a 15-yard scoring strike just 1:45 into the quarter but the missed extra point try left the score 6-0.
Dwayne Smith's 2-yard run with 2:28 remaining knotted the score at 6. After the missed placement, neither team would mount a threat the remainder of regulation.
The Redmen lost 14 yards on their first overtime possession, then Coles' 36-yard field goal attempt was wide left, ending Rayen's first overtime attempt.
A 30-yard field goal try on the Tigers' second series was blocked, but the Redmen couldn't take advantage of the opportunity as Rayen's Dwayne Smith picked off Gary Scott's pass deep in the end zone on third down, forcing another overtime.
Scott connected with Rashad Robinson on a 15-yard scoring strike on Wilson's series, but the missed extra point gave the Redmen a 12-6 lead.
Wallace tied the score just two plays later, setting up the game-winning kick by Coles.
"I'm proud of our players," Wilson coach Brian Marrow said. "We have a special group and we'll build with them as we already look to next season. Our defense has played well all season and while Rayen was the better team tonight, you can just see how our players are adapting to our system."
The Tigers finished with 210 yards of total offense, including 147 on the ground. Wallace was the leading rusher with 43 yards on 11 carries.
The Redmen had just 114 yards of offense, with 84 coming through the air as Patterson connected on 7-of-18 passes.
Wilson's Edmonds led all receivers with five catches for 69 yards, including the touchdown.