By MIKE MCLAIN

sports@vindy.com

RAVENNA

Harding vs Chardon

Gallery

Photos by David Dermer

It was often said when former Warren G. Harding Raiders running back Maurice Clarett was overpowering high school defenses in the early 2000s that his likes wouldn’t been seen in the Mahoning Valley ever again.

Little did anyone know that a boy not yet 5-years-old was on the way to equal Clarett’s incredible efforts. Now a young man, Lynn Bowden is doing things on football fields that defy logic and evoke comparisons with Clarett.

Bowden staged another in what’s becoming a long list of jaw-dropping showings Friday, rushing for six touchdowns and throwing for another in leading the Raiders to a 49-31 win over the Chardon Hilltoppers in a second-round game of the Division II, Region 5 playoffs.

Bowden finished with 25 carries for 368 yards. His touchdowns runs covered 7, 31, 15, 2, 72 and 88 yards, and he also threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Geno Gonzalez. Bowden, who was 8-of-14 for 129 passing yards, had 487 yards of offense.

“I’m tired of ranking them because every week he does something different,” Raiders coach Steve Arnold said. “The thing he does extremely well is you see him put it into another gear. He kind of lulls you to sleep. He’s weaving and he’s weaving. Then he sees something, and he’s gone. He puts it into another gear.”

Clarett, who dealt with off-the-field problems after leading Ohio State to a national championship in 2002, has straightened out his life and now advises Bowden. It’s clear from the sound of Bowden’s voice that he values the friendship and what’s he’s learned from Clarett.

“I don’t care what anybody thinks about him,” Bowden said. “To me, Maurice Clarett is a good person. He didn’t always make good decisions, but we all make mistakes. That’s something I needed to learn from. I’m sure he would appreciate saying that. I love ‘Reecy.’ ”

Bowden’s 87-yard run came on the opening possession, an 11-play, 80-yard march. He set the tone for the rest of the game with seven carries for 58 yards on the drive.

Bowden added scores of 31, 15 and 2 yards as Harding (11-1) took a 28-14 halftime lead. The Hilltoppers (11-1) scored on a 3-yard run by Joe Cyvas and a 28-yard pass from quarterback Tommy Benenati to Joe Dinko.

Chardon increased the pressure on Harding when Cyvas completed a 14-play drive to open the third quarter with a 4-yard scoring run. The point-after kick by Ethan Ziegenfuss cut Harding’s lead to 28-21.

After forcing a rare punt, the Hilltoppers made it 28-24 on a 48-yard field goal by Ziegenfuss at the 11:43 mark of the fourth quarter.

It took Harding all of four plays to regain control as Bowden connected with Gonzalez on a receiver screen. Gonzalez, who was aligned in a bunch formation, sprinted through a wall of blockers on his way to a score that increased the lead to 35-24.

The Raiders’ defense, which allowed 48 points a week earlier in a win over Brecksville-Broadview Heights, came up with a huge play when Tavon Hooks intercepted an overthrown pass by Benenati. One the first play of the ensuing possession Bowden broke free on his 72-yard run as the Raiders assumed a 42-24 lead.

Harding made it 49-24 on Bowden’s 82-yard run around the left side. Chardon scored late on a 10-yard run by Benenati, who rushed for 231 yards on 25 carries.

The Hilltoppers’ offense, which runs out of a winged-T, was prolific all season. Benenati’s ability to run the show was a challenge for the Raiders.

“I have to really commend the kids and the staff,” Arnold said. “We had a great week of preparation. Anytime you prepare for an offense like this that you don’t see, and they run it to perfection, I thought our defense played pretty well.”

Harding will face Hudson Friday for the Region title. It was important for the Raiders to advance beyond the second round because of their second-round loss to Mayfield last year.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring that state trophy back to Warren, Ohio,” Bowden said. “Obviously you have to take it step by step. This is a huge step we took.”