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Anderson falls in semifinals

The Anderson Raptors made an appearance in the state final four looking to use their high-powered offense to pick up a huge program win.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Division II state semifinal matchup between Anderson and Massillon took center stage at Columbus Crew Stadium. The Raptors came into the game as big underdogs and looked to pull a massive upset that would send shockwaves nationally. The Tigers aimed to move onto the state title game and add to their historic history with another state championship. Both the Tigers and Raptors knew what was on the line and left it all out on the field. In the end, Anderson fell short of their title aspirations, losing to Massillon 55-7.

The game started with a great deal of fireworks. The Raptors deferred to the second half and started the game on defense. Massillon quarterback Da’One Owens took the opening snap and scurried 68 yards for an opening play touchdown. The lead was quickly 7-0. Anderson would respond on their opening drive. The Raptors as usual went to the air attack as Justice Burnam found Trace Jallick several times on the drive. Jallick would catch another and take it in for a 19-yard score and things were tied.

The tie was broken almost instantly as Emy Louis took the next kickoff 90 yards to the house for a score and the Tigers jumped back in front. Burnam would throw an interception on Anderson’s next drive but the Raptors defense would stand and get off the field as well. After the first it was a tight game at 14-7. The second quarter is where things got away from the ECC champs.

After converting a fourth down, the Raptors were forced to punt for the first time to start the second quarter. Massillon would then go on a sustained drive that saw them cover 67 yards on 14 plays and eat up 5:56 on the clock. Michael Wright would punch in a 5-yd rush to extend the lead. Anderson got behind the chains and turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory. 

The Tigers would capitalize quickly as they scored in just a few plays when Owens found Louis for a 31-yd strike. The Raptors once again failed to move the ball and turned it over on downs again even deeper in their own territory. Once again Massillon was ready to pounce and they got a Mylen Lenix 10-yd rush to push their lead to 35-7. It is not uncommon for the Raptors to roll the dice on fourth down as they have used that philosophy all season long but the Tigers were up for the challenge. Anderson trailed 35-7 at the half. Trace Jallick led the way with 7 rec, 79 yards, and a TD in the half.

In the second half, the Raptors continued their big-time effort in the game. After turning it over on downs for the second time in the half, Massillon tacked on a score to start the running clock midway through the third quarter. Anderson could not muster any significant offense the rest of the way as they could only get the Tigers’ defense to bend so much before ultimately being turned away. The Tigers added a couple of scores late to produce the final margin as Anderson fell 55-7 in the state semifinals.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Anderson 7-0-0-0-7                                                                                                                                                  Massillon Washington 14-21-7-13-55 

SCORING PLAYS
M:Da’One Owens 68-yd rush (Keller kick)
A: Trace Jallick 19-yd rec from Justice Burnam (kick)
M: Emy Louis 90-yd kickoff return (Keller kick)
M: Michael Wright 5-yd rush (Keller kick)
M: Emy Louis 31-yd rec from Da’One Owens (Keller kick)
M: Mylen Lenix 10-yd rush (Keller kick)
M: Michael Wright 5-yd rush (Keller kick)
M: Payton Mitchell 1-yd rush (Keller kick)
M: Chase Bond 45-yd INT return 

RECORDS: Anderson (13-2); Massillon Washington (15-0)
UP NEXT: OHSAA DII State Championship

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