Rayen defenders pummel Timken

The Tigers scored eight times in a 49-8 City Series romp.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rayen School's quick and harassing defense could be the Tigers' biggest asset this year.
Rayen's hungry defense forced seven turnovers and contributed to six of the Tigers' eight scores, as they built a 20-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 49-8 win over Canton Timken in the City Series football opener for both teams Friday night at Stambaugh Stadium.
The score could have been much bigger, but Rayen's offense was unable to capitalize on three of the turnovers from the defense.
Coach Brian Shaner of Rayen (4-1) said his defense told the tale of the game.
"Our defense always tells us what to do on offense. The defense always dictates our offense," Shaner said. "We really didn't have a long field [all night]. Our defense gets after them and makes them make mistakes."
And that means, "The defense is giving us opportunities."
Coach Steve Turner of Canton Timken (1-4) also complimented Rayen's defense.
"Rayen's defense is as fast if not faster than anything we faced. They have athletes that fly at the ball," Turner said.
He said that Timken's plays that should have made big yardage were held to minimal yards because of Rayen's quick defense.
Smith scores two TDs
Rayen's first two TDs of the game by Dwayne Smith were the only scores not set up by the defense.
Smith scored the Tigers' first TD on a 2-yard run that was set up by Andreous Gillam's 33-yard opening-kickoff return and Smith's 40-yard dash to the 2.
Smith then scored on a 3-yard run on the next series to climax a six-play, 52-yard drive, with Stephen Slade adding the conversion run.
After Rayen kicked off, Pierson Haywood intercepted a pass at the Timken 38 and Rayen covered the distance in five plays, with Gary Thornton running in from the 4-yard line at 1:10 of the opening period to make it 20-0. The score was set up by substantial runs from Ryan Wallace, Smith and Wallace again.
Rayen then added a safety about midway through the second quarter when Timken was back to punt from its 9-yard line, but the center snapped the ball out of the end zone.
Later in the second, Rayen stopped Timken at its 30 and tallied shortly after on Wallace's 14-yard pass to Gillam for a 29-0 halftime lead after Charles Cole's extra-point kick.
Second half
Rayen's defensive charge continued.
Jerome Carter recovered a fumble at the Rayen 44 in the third quarter to set up the Tigers' four-play march that was capped by Larry Brown's 3-yard dash and Cole's placement at 4:26 to make it 36-0.
After Timken managed to break its scoring drought on Carl Cole's 19-yard TD strike to Mike Love and Cole's conversion run, Marvin Stanford set up another Rayen TD when he intercepted a pass at the 50 and returned the ball to the Timken 40. Rayen covered the distance in four plays to Sal Battles' 5-yard TD run at 11:29 of the fourth to make it 42-8.
Then Derrick Veal's fumble recovery on a punt at the Timken 29 set up Rayen's six-play march capped by Raymond Catley's 11-yard run and Cole's kick.
Shaner lauded several players.
"Tomaz Hilton had a tremendous game. He was all over the field. He had been a backup," said Shaner, also noting that captains Derrick Slocum, a senior middle linebacker, and Smith, a junior safety, set the tone for the defense.
In addition, "Gary Thornton, a freshman linebacker and running back, had a big hit for us in the first quarter that fueled the fire and gave us momentum. Then after his big hit, he carried the ball three straight times."
kovach@vindy.com