Game 4: Cuyahoga Falls 24, Tallmadge 19

A tough game as the host B Team Blue falls to the Black Tigers by a final score of 24-19. This one was a thriller that came down to the final seconds--actually, the final 1.7 seconds--but more about that later.

B Team Blue was caught off guard as the Black Tigers' quarterback threw a perfect strike to his tight end who had sneaked behind the secondary for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. Both defenses held tough as the first quarter drew to a close with the Black Tigers ahead by a score of 6-0. As the second quarter got under way, Falls capped off a scoring drive on a run to the right from 25-yards out. The Devils' defense held the Black Tigers back on the conversion and kept the score close at 12-0. On the first play following the ensuing kickoff, Michael Beane ran the ball 50 yards to the Tigers' 5-yard line.



Three plays later, Michael scored on a three yard sweep to the left to give the Devils' their first score, which they also converted.



The first half came to a close with the Black Tigers ahead 12-7.

To start the second half, Andrew Shannon commanded his troops downfield. This drive was capped off by a gutsy 31-yard touchdown run by Kane Wolfe.



Credit goes to the offensive line who held tough on their blocks throughout this drive and although B Team Blue was unable to convert the extra point, the lead shifted as the Devils lead by a score of 13-12.

Bad news for the Devils, however, as a crafty Black Tiger took the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Tallmadge 12-yard line. Two plays later, the Tigers were in the end zone again on a six-yard run to the left and another lead change of 18-13. As the fourth quarter got underway, B Team Blue engineered another drive downfield and Kane Wolfe struck again on a 33-yard reverse touchdown run.



Now the lead changes again as the good guys take a 19-18 lead. The Devils' offense gets a gift as B Team Blue recovers the kickoff, and a chance to close things out as the clock becomes a factor.



The Black Tigers' defense stiffens on the drive and Falls is able to mount another offensive drive. Another big run by a Black Tiger takes the ball to the Devils' 17-yard line. The Tallmadge defensive unit drives the Falls Black Tigers back, and on a big fourth down play, the Devils make a huge play to get the ball back in the hands of the offense as the clock nears the two minute mark.



B Team Blue is unable to get anything going and after four downs, the Black Tigers get one more chance. With 37 seconds showing on the clock, the Cuyahoga Falls QB connects on a 38- yard pass to paydirt and the Black Tigers take a 24-19 lead as time is running out.

With under 10 seconds to go, Kane runs right for 15 yards from the 50 and alertly goes out of bounds at the 35. Now B Team Blue has 1.7 seconds on the clock to pull off a final, miracle play. Similar call: the pitch out to Kane with Chris LaMancusa as the lead blocker. The horn blows as Kane passes the 30, he dodges past two Falls defenders at the 25, makes a spin move at the 20, but is unable to elude the Black Tigers' safeties at the 15! Final score Falls 24, Tallmadge 19.



A great job by all players, but notable mentions are Andrew Shannon, Andrew Francesconi (who almost intercepted a pass out of mid-air for TD), Michael Beane and finally Kane Wolfe, who rushed for over 100 yards in the losing effort. After the game, TYF Director Sam Williams told me this may have been one of the most exciting games he's ever seen at Overdale Field. I'm sure many will agree.

Next week, another thriller at home as B Team Blue hosts Springfield!