Erryl Will of MHS scoops up a Perrysburg fumble Friday evening. Will returned the recovery for a touchdown as the Monarchs won the Division I playoff game, 42-6. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
Marysville High School head football coach Brent Johnson stressed to his team all week just how important Friday evening’s game against Perrysburg was going to be.
Played on the Monarchs’ home field (the final time this season), it marked a second-round game in the Division I state playoffs.
Either the first or second round of the post-season has been a past stumbling block for MHS.
That’s what made this game so vital, according to Johnson.
The No. 1-seeded Monarchs responded as anticipated with a 42-6 triumph over the eighth-seeded Yellow Jackets.
“This was just a total team victory,” said Johnson. “Our defense has gotten a lot of credit this year and rightfully so.
“However, we’ve got a lot of good running backs who have moved the ball well.”
“We’re in rarified air right now,” he said.
Johnson was also pleased with the clean game turned in by the special teams.
“The special teams play was very sharp,” the coach said.
He had noted earlier in the week the Monarchs couldn’t afford any miscues in the kicking game.
They didn’t have any.
It’s quite possible that two early plays set the tone for the rest of the evening.
MHS running back Griffin Johnson was stuffed for a four-yard loss on the second play of the opening possession.
The Yellow Jackets celebrated like they had accomplished something big.
Johnson shook off the rude greeting by taking the next handoff.
He found a huge seam opened by MHS’ talented O-line and rambled 79 yards for the touchdown.
JJ Riggsby booted the extra point and with less than two minutes off the clock, the Monarchs held the lead.
Johnson went on to tally 126 yards on 11 carries.
The Monarchs controlled the game from a statistical standpoint on both sides of the pigskin.
The MHS defense limited the Jackets to just 49 yards rushing.
Perrysburg managed 171 yards passing, most of which came against Marysville second-teamers in the second half.
The Monarchs ran roughshod over the Yellow Jackets to the tune of 328 yards on 35 rushing attempts.
Gabe Powers finished with 93 yards, while Colton Powers and Matt Krutowskis combined for more than 70.
The Yellow Jackets couldn’t muster any type of offense during their next series after the MHS TD.
Richard Nielsen sacked Perrysburg quarterback TJ Takats to set up a fourth-and-16 situation.
Perrysburg punted and MHS took over on its own 40.
The Powers brothers and Johnson carried the freight through the Jackets’ defense.
Colton Powers picked up 18 yards down to the one-yard line.
Gabe Powers took the next handoff from quarterback Brady Seger.
Powers then stuffed the ball into Krutowskis’ belly on a reverse.
The play resulted in the sophomore’s one-yard burst into the end zone.
Riggsby booted the PAT and with 6:42 left in the opening quarter, Marysville held a 14-0 margin.
Nielsen once again came up with a quarterback sack, which forced the visitors to punt.
The Monarchs took over on their own 40, but couldn’t mount an offense.
MHS’ punt left Perrysburg starting on its own 33.
The Jackets, realizing that running the ball against MHS was an exercise in futility, went to the air as the first quarter moved into the ensuing period.
Marysville’s Tanner Powers, though, broke up a fourth-down pass.
It took the Monarchs only five plays to score from midfield.
Gabe Powers capped the quick possession with a 38-yard run. Riggsby’s conversion pushed MHS out to a 21-0 margin with slightly less than 10 minutes left until halftime.
Erryl Will, who could be described as the heart and soul of the Marysville defense, made a huge play on Perrysburg’s next possession.
Takats fumbled the ball and the elusive pigskin bounced crazily around and around.
Will finally scooped it up and returned it 26 yards for the touchdown.
Riggsby was perfect on his next extra point and the Monarchs now held a commanding 28-0 spread.
The Yellow Jackets moved into MHS territory, reaching the 36-yard-line.
Connor Walendzak took the ball but was quickly brought down by the Monarchs’ Mason Reed.
That set up fourth-and-11.
An incomplete pass turned the ball back over to MHS.
The Jackets recovered a fumble and mounted a drive that got down to the Marysville one-yard line.
All of the sudden, the Monarchs’ streak of not allowing any first-half points this season appeared to be in huge jeopardy.
Colton Powers, however, knifed through the Perrysburg line and smothered Nick Oros for a loss back at the three.
With 37 seconds left until halftime, Takats went back to pass.
MHS’ Christian McCartney tipped the ball, which was then intercepted by Johnson.
The Monarchs chose to down the ball to end the first half with their 28-0 lead.
The teams swapped punts to begin the third quarter.
The Monarchs got the ball back in good position with 3:39 left in the period on a punt return by Gabe Powers.
The MHS backfield moved through the Jackets’ defense like the proverbial hot knife through butter.
Gabe Powers ended the series with a two-yard run into the end zone.
Riggsby’s extra point pushed Marysville out to a 35-0 lead.
The running clock rule was invoked with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets tried to move the ball toward the end of the period.
Takats was tripped up by Reed at the Perrysburg 17.
The Yellow Jackets later moved as far as their own 47 before turning the ball over on downs.
MHS needed just four plays to travel 52 yards for its final touchdown of the evening.
This time, Powers went into the end zone from 12 yards out.
Riggsby’s conversion elevated the Monarchs’ lead to 42-0.
The Yellow Jackets scored a consolation touchdown within the final five minutes of the contest.
Oros rambled in from the MHS 19 to prevent the shutout.
Perrysburg’s PAT attempt, however, was blocked by MHS’ Connor Raybould.
Marysville got the ball back with slightly more than one minute to play.
The Monarchs went into victory formation to end the contest and start the celebration.
Marysville has now advanced to the regional semifinals set for next Friday.
The Monarchs will face Toledo Whitmer (the No. 4 seed), which defeated No. 5 Centerville, 42-31, on Friday.
The location for the game will be announced later this weekend.
Gabe Powers (center) runs through a huge hole opened by the Monarch offense. Pictured to the right is Griffin Johnson (22). Powers scored a trio of touchdowns during MHS’ win over Perrysburg. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
MHS’ Matt Krutowskis, left, finishes a touchdown against Perrysburg on Friday evening. The Monarchs won the playoff game, 42-6. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)