Tigers roar to City title

By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dwayne Smith rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, and the Rayen School defense held Woodrow Wilson High to just 19 total yards, as the Tigers won, 25-6, in a City Series game Thursday night at Stambaugh Stadium.
The Tigers (7-2, 2-0 City Series) clinched the City Series title outright for the first time since 1989.
"This really feels good. I am especially happy for our seniors for this was my freshman class," Tigers coach Brian Shaner said.
"We hang our hat on our defense and that was the case for us again tonight. This is a phenomenal defensive group; one that has tremendous discipline, is hard-hitting and never quits. They come to play each and every week.
"Tonight we struggled on the offensive side of the ball and I cannot tell you the reason why. We had an excellent week of practice, yet came out flat. Give credit to Woodrow Wilson. Their defense was a major reason for our offensive struggles."
Redmen bogged down
The Redmen (1-8, 0-1) never really got untracked offensively and of their 29 rushing plays, 17 went for negative yardage.
"Our offense was disappointing and early mistakes were costly for us," Wilson coach Brian Marrow said.
"We had some special team breakdowns, but this group has lots of heart and kept on fighting. I am proud of that.
"Rayen has an excellent team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Our hats go off to them for their play tonight."
Neither team could sustain a drive offensively in the first period, so it was only apropos that the Tigers' first touchdown come on the play of their special teams.
With 51 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, Troy Rice fielded a punt on the Wilson 42 and took it the distance for a 7-0 advantage.
Price delivers on defense
At the 10:53 mark of the second period, Kevin Price proved why the Tiger defense is special as he picked up a fumble, then rambled into the end zone from 42 yards away, and when the placement failed, Rayen held a 13-0 advantage.
Smith, whose rushing total included five runs of 15 yards or better, then scored from 68 yards out, enabling the Tigers to increase their margin to 19-0.
Wilson quarterback Terrance McQueen then found Terrance Edmonds with a 21-yard scoring strike 13 seconds later to pull the Redmen to within 19-6 at intermission.
After a scoreless third period, Smith concluded the scoring as he raced to the end zone from 25 yards out at the 2:32 mark of the final stanza.
The Tiger offense wasn't exactly on full throttle as they had just 185 yards of offense on 45 plays, with 166 coming on the ground.
Of their 39 rushing plays, 17 ended up behind the line of scrimmage.
The Redmen, on the other hand ran 42 plays and accounted for minus-43 rushing yards on 29 carries. They were 3-of-13 through the air for 62 yards and their only touchdown of the game.
Rayen held a 9-5 advantage in first downs.