Conference champs: Maples remain undefeated, wrap up TCS title with win over Monessen
Mapletown running back Landan Stevenson (1) breaks the grasp of a Monessen defender on his way to a two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of Friday night鈥檚 game. The Maples won, 26-18, to clinch sole possession of the Tri-County South title while improving to 9-0 for the first time in school history.
Mapletown鈥檚 Brody Evans (23) leads the celebration from the end zone after his 61-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Landan Stevenson Friday night against visiting Monessen. The Maples won, 26-18, to clinch sole possession of the Tri-County South title while improving to 9-0 for the first time in school history. (Photos by Mark Marietta)
Mapletown's Evan Griffin (30) sets a block for running back Landan Stevenson as the Maples advance on a drive during the first half of Friday night's game against visiting Monessen.
Mark Marietta
Mapletown鈥檚 Brody Evans breaks away from Monessen鈥檚 Tyvaughn Kershaw (1) and Nigier Foster (17) and takes off for a 61-yard touchdown to put the Maples up 14-6 during Friday night鈥檚 game.
Mapletown quarterback Brody Evans drags a pile of Monessen defenders for a first down during Friday night's game at Mapletown.
Mapletown quarterback Brody Evans is pressured by Monessen's Giovanni Isbell on a two-point conversion attempt during Friday night's game at Mapletown.
GREENSBORO 鈥� Mapletown is the Class A Tri-County South Conference champion after defeating Monessen, 26-18, Friday night in the closest game of the year for the Maples.
With this win, the Maples are 9-0 overall for the first time in school history.
鈥淟ast year, we were 6-4,鈥� Mapletown head coach George Messich said. 鈥淲e lost two or three good seniors last year, but we had the majority of our kids back. I wouldn鈥檛 doubt these kids anything they tried to do, because they just want to win no matter what.鈥�
While Mapletown celebrated, Monessen (4-2, 5-4) suffered heartbreak knowing how close it came to putting itself in position for the conference鈥檚 top seed in the postseason.
鈥淭akeaway from the game was missed opportunities for us,鈥� Monessen head coach Wade Brown said. 鈥淲e had some opportunities at the end of the game. We had opportunities we found at the end of the first half.鈥�
The opportunity at the end of the first half came when Monessen senior Davontae Clayton recovered a Mapletown fumble and returned it 47 yards to the Mapletown six-yard line with 3:25 left in the second quarter. With third-and-goal at the six, Monessen, down 14-12, committed a false start, followed by a delay of game, and then a penalty for illegal equipment when the referees found a Monessen player with metal spikes.
Monessen was pushed all the way to the Mapletown 21 on third down, and a loss of 12 made it fourth-and-goal from the Mapletown 32. Junior quarterback Lorenzo Gardner was tackled in the backfield, resulting in a turnover on downs and leaving the Greyhounds without a score.
The second opportunity Brown mentioned came late in the fourth quarter. Monessen, down 26-18, had the ball fourth-and-one at the Mapletown 25. Going for it on fourth down, sophomore quarterback Daniel Dozier fumbled the snap and Mapletown鈥檚 Isaac Hall alertly fell on the ball to secure the victory.
鈥淥ur defense is really, really aggressive,鈥� Messich said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care if it鈥檚 first-and-10 or fourth-and-one, they鈥檙e gonna go flying across the football. And they showed it tonight. I鈥檓 just really proud of this team and my coaching staff.鈥�
Part of what made it a close game was the rushing offenses of both teams. Mapletown was led by senior Landan Stevenson and Monessen was led by freshman Tyvaughn Kershaw.
Stevenson finished the night with 27 carries, 176 yards, two rushing touchdowns of 10 and two yards and a 61-yard touchdown pass to senior Brody Evans on a trick play.
鈥淟andan, for his size, runs so hard,鈥� Messich said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 dragging two or three, sometimes four people with him. He just won鈥檛 go down.鈥�
Kershaw finished the night with 242 yards on 23 carries. He had the first touchdown of the game on a three-yard run with 7:55 left in the first.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a spectacular player,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淲e all knew that. In the second half, he just started saying 鈥楪ive me the ball, give me the ball.鈥� When the guy鈥檚 asking for the ball, and he鈥檚 producing, that鈥檚 just what you want to do.鈥�
With the best record in school history and the potential to go 10-0 next week, Messich likens this year鈥檚 team to the 1968 Mapletown team that went 8-0.
鈥淭hat was a great team,鈥� Messich said. 鈥淎nd it reminds me a lot of this team. They stuck together. They were a real tight group, a great football team. And that鈥檚 what I see in this football team.鈥�
The Greyhounds fell into a three-way tie for second place with California and Carmichaels although all three clinched playoff spots Friday night.
Mapletown finishes the regular season next week at West Greene while Monessen hosts Beth-Center.