The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NEW MASCOT GIVES HIGH FIVES
Bearcats’ Wilkins scores six touchdowns and comes up with game-saving stop
A Titans fan gets a high five from Lorain’s new mascot, Titus, during the team’s Lake Erie League conference game against Bedford, Oct. 20. The Titans went on to lose the road game, 54-48 to the Bearcats. For more coverage,
Lorain was stood up at the goal line in the final minutes and the Titans lost, 54-48, to Bedford Oct. 20, giving the Bearcats at least a share of the Lake Erie League championship.
Bedford (8-1) took its first lead of the night with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter when Kenneth Wilkins ran 15 yards for his fifth score of the night before Justin Sturgill’s one-yard run tied the game at 48 heading into the fourth quarter.
Three plays later, Wilkins ran four yards for his sixth and final touchdown of the night to
put Bedford up, 54-48.
Lorain (7-2) had over 11 minutes to put together a gamewinning drive but came up mere inches short. Facing fourth-and-goal inside the 1-yard line, quarterback Justin Sturgill handed off to sophomore Daylin Dower who was met at the goal line by none other than Wilkins as the Titans’ hopes of a repeat LEL title were dashed.
Dower believed he crossed the goal line but wasn’t broken up over the call on the field, saying, “It ain’t everybody’s call to make,” and coach Dave
McFarland chalked it up to a fantastic play by a tremendous athlete.
“I’m going to tell you what, what kind of play was that? Where did (Wilkins) come from?” McFarland said. “I mean, that kid’s special. I’ve never seen a kid like that.”
Wilkins finished with 257 yards and six touchdowns on 28 carries for Bedford on top of making the defensive play of the game, while quarterback Emmanuel Jenkins was 10-for-17 with 248 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
“Those two kids are as good as any I’ve been around. I know they’ve got scholarship offers and all that, but they’re the real deal,” McFarland said. “Bedford was real physical. They were a great football team and I’m real proud of my guys and how they played.”
Dower had an equally impressive game for the Titans with 228 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries. Sturgill was 13-for-20 with 149 yards and an interception.
Lorain now needs a win next week at Shaw and a Bedford loss to Warrensville Heights to share the LEL title with the Bearcats, but both Dower and McFarland had nothing but praise for the Titans’ effort at Bedford and are ready to close out the regular season with a win.
“It was a hard-fought game by Bedford. Nothing but competition. It was fun out there just going back and forth on every job. We’ll learn from the mistakes we made tonight and just move on with it,” Dower said. “I’m proud of everybody that went out there and just fought and put their head down. It’s amazing. I’m blessed to have this group of guys with me.”
McFarland added: “I think that’s what life’s all about. We had some tough things happen there and we just kept fighting. It’s a great life lesson, but I’m proud of how our kids kept their chin up and just kept battling.
“They didn’t pout or cry or quit in any way. I’m very, very proud of these guys.”