By Corey Perez
CANTON, OHIO – Headed into halftime one had a hunch that this game was going to be high scoring as it was tied at 21 at the break. The Pickerington Central Tigers came out with a different idea in mind, as they continued to score but stepped it up on defense holding the Mentor Cardinals to only seven 2nd half points.
Meanwhile the Tigers scored five touchdowns en route to a 56-28 Division I state championship, the first in Pickerington Central’s school history.
In a game where the first half was dominated by speed, the second half was controlled by the big fellas up front.
Pickerington Central’s line play won them the state championship, not only was the offensive line opening holes up for sophomore quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw, but the defensive line had Tadas Tatarunas moving throughout the pocket the entire game.
Although the Tigers defensive line was only credited with two sacks, Tatarunas was hurried on almost every throw. Tatarunas started the game 7-10 for 121 yards in the 1st quarter, but finished the game 15-33 for 196 yards.
Much of this is credit to the Tigers defense that was lead by two seniors Grey Brancifort and Jeremiah Wood who combined for 22 tackles.
Mentor and Pickerington Central were trading scores throughout the entire first half and when the Tigers scored first in the 2nd half, most expected the trend to continue.
As did the Cardinals as they were faced with a Seattle Seahawks like 4th-and-1 inside the 1, and they elected to pass and this is where things began turning purple.
Pickerington Central Coach Jay Sharrett felt that 4th-and-1 stop was a turning point for his ball club “I think that really made our believe we could do this.”
Michigan State commit Xavier Henderson made big play after big play tonight on both sides of the ball (153 All-Purpose yards,) Henderson began being a bigger part of the offense in the playoffs, “It’s fun for me to win games, and whatever I need to do is what I’ll do.”
As well as the entire Tiger team played tonight, they wouldn’t have been in this position if it wasn’t for the play of Crenshaw, who had himself quite the night tonight, 104 passing yards,and 161 rushing yards.
Those numbers alone would’ve been extremely impressive for the sophomore, but he added 6 touchdowns which broke the Division I championship game record, ultimately tying the record for all Divisions.
Anytime a big play was needed the Tigers made it, while the Cardinals left a number of big plays out there, senior WR Logan Shea felt like things could’ve gone differently had they capitalized.
“There were just little things that took over the whole game, and it just swung their way, and they kept rolling with it.”
When two teams come in buying for their first state title, you can expect a tough physical game, especially in Division I. Unfortunately for Mentor Coach Steve Trivisonno he and the Cardinals are still searching for theirs.
Pickerington was the more physical team from start to finish and the final score showed that, Henderson on going out a champion, “going out this way. With this senior class, getting a ring for Coach Shar means the world, it means everything.”
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