Huron blasts Spencerville in Division VI playoffs

HURON — For decades, Huron has been known for having great athletes — a special cast of quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs that can make plays out in space. That was never more apparent in the Tigers' 42-7 win over Spencerville in the first round of the Division VI playoffs at Mucci Field at Huron Memorial Stadium. Tommie McDonald III, Landon Hohler, Paul Maloney, Caleb Staley, Jackson McNulty, Hayden Wilson and Noah Maloney, among others, lifted the team up with their ability to make plays out on the perimeter, a staple of the spread offense that has been the team's calling card for decades. Huron's first drive was a microcosm of the game as the Tigers (7-4), who broke a three-game losing streak with the victory, began at the Bearcats' 15-yard-line. After forcing Spencerville to punt, McDonald returned a punt 26 yards to the Spencerville 30, and a facemask penalty advanced the ball to the 15. Three plays later, on third-and-3 from the 8, Hohler found Wilson for a shovel pass to the left and he broke a tackle before scoring a touchdown and giving Huron the lead for good. The first of six PATs by Cameron Manner made it 7-0. McDonald, who came in with nine punt returns for 165 yards and a touchdown, returned the next punt 52 yards when the ensuing possession ended, giving the Tigers the ball at the Bearcat 30. Four plays later, Hohler hit Staley on an out route for a 5-yard touchdown, making it 14-0 with 50 seconds to play in the first quarter. "Our offense, if we run it the right way, gives our players the opportunities to make plays," Huron coach Sam Hohler said. "We try to take advantage of what the defense gives us." The Tigers had to finish the regular season with games against Vermilion, Clyde and Edison, which had a combined record of 25-5. "We had lost three tough games in a row to some good teams," coach Hohler said. "To get that taste out of our mouth was pretty nice." Huron, the No. 7 seed in Region 22, plays at No. 2 Bluffton (10-1) next week. After trading possessions, Huron needed just two plays to go 59 yards, scoring when Hohler hit Wilson on a backside screen to the left that went for a long touchdown. On the play, Hohler rolled right before turning around and finding Wilson, who had to juke two defenders almost immediately after catching the pass. He later broke a tackle before racing down the left sideline for a 59-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 21 points with 5:29 to play in the first half. Spencerville (5-6) drove 58 yards before the drive stalled at Huron's 1. Then the Bearcats committed three penalties — all of them false starts — pushing them back to the 16. An interception by Raglow in the end zone on third-and-goal gave the Tigers the ball at their own 21, and three big plays resulted in Huron scoring a touchdown with five seconds remaining in the first half to put the game out of reach. On second-and-10 from the 37, Hohler found McNulty for a 42-yard completion over the middle, and on the next play, the two hooked up again for a 21-yard touchdown. For years, Huron has beaten teams with potent offenses that could outscore its opponents. But the Tiger defense has never gotten the credit it deserved, and it was fantastic last night, holding the Bearcats, who employed a variety of formations, including the Wing-T, in check. "Our defense has been solid all year. We've forced lots of turnovers. The kids buy in," coach Hohler said. "They do what we ask them to do. We try to get as many kids to the ball. The kids have done a good job." The special-teams unit has been key to Huron's success for years. McDonald has been a threat all season and Manner can convert field goals from long distance. "We take a lot of pride in our special teams," coach Hohler said. "Tommie has a knack for making big plays, (but) he can't do it by himself. He's got guys that can block for him. That's been a point of emphasis for us." Spencerville 0 0 0 7 — 7 Huron 14 14 14 0 — 42 H — Hayden Wilson 8 pass from Landon Hohler (Cameron Manner kick) H — Caleb Staley 5 pass from Hohler (Manner kick) H — Wilson 59 pass from Hohler (Manner kick) H — Jackson McNulty 21 pass from Hohler (Manner kick) H — Hohler 2 run (Manner kick) H — Hohler 16 run (Manner kick) S — Zach Looser 17 (Carder Orr kick)