MASSILLON – The last time the Van Wert Cougars played for a state championship the game came down to a kick. Twenty years after their last appearance this seasons finale ended on a kick, a 25 yard make from Damon McCracken to complete a comeback and a 31-28 victory over Lake Catholic.
McCracken, a sophomore kicker had not attempted a field goal in his career before he stepped on the field Sunday afternoon at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium with just :09 remaining on the clock in a 28-28 game with a state title on the line.
Not phased by the oncoming Lake County rush McCracken booted the soaked football being held by his star QB Owen Treece just inside the right upright to give his team their first lead and send Van Wert friends into a frenzy.
With one final heave Lake Catholic QB Joe Malchesky tossed a ball into the sea of defenders down the field but found it secure into the waiting arms of Treece who fell to the ground to secure the Van Wert victory and first ever state championship in football.
After a scoreless first quarter the Cougars of Mentor Lake Catholic pushed across the first score of the game on a fourth down play that saw Malchesky toss to Nick Brandt and ultimately connect with Brady Bowser for a four yard score and a 7-0 lead that capped off an 87-yard scoring drive.
Van Wert tied up the game on their ensuing drive with 9:53 before the half on a two yard pass from Treece to Maddix Crutchfield that Maddix pulled in just above the ground for a score.
Lake Catholic, working with a short field thanks to a stop of Van Wert on fourth down pushed back into the lead at 14-7 just moments later on a one yard touchdown plunge from Ryan Joy with 5:04 before the break.
Leading by a touchdown Lake Catholic upped their lead to 21-7 on a 53 yard scamper by Malchesky down the sidelines and through the arms of Van Wert would be tacklers.
Scores by Van Wert by Owen Treece and Connor Pratt pulled the Northwest Ohio’s Cougars to even at 21-21 with 11:46 left in regulation in a driving Massillon rain.
Unfortunately for Van Wert just as quickly as they worked to even they would unable to stop Malchesky again as he raced through the heart of their defense for a 50 yard touchdown with just 5:25 left in the game.
Driving into the rain and towards the endzone Van Wert’s Owen Treece lobbed a ball on a scramble to the back corner to Nate Jackson for the tying score with just 2:30 remaining.
Lake Catholic sees their season end with an 8-3 record while the Cougars finish their 2020 campaign with an 11-1 record and the Division 4 Championship trophy.