The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Catholic loses in heartbreaking fashion
Van Wert’s last-second field goal denies Cougars Division IV state championship
MASSILLON » As the rain intensified Nov. 22 after Lake Catholic’s Division IV state final against Van Wert, so did the emotion.
The mass of humanity piled into the visitors’ locker room in the southwest corner crowded out the door.
Trainers cried. Lake faithful stood against the adjacent fence, for support in more ways than one.
Given the closing seconds and final quarter that preceded, it was not a moment for eloquence, simply because no words could possibly provide comfort for Lake.
Damon McCracken’s 25yard field goal with nine seconds left sent Van Wert to a come-from-behind 31-28 victory over Lake on Nov. 22 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.
The Cougars from Van Wert County were buoyant, the sound of their excitement emanating under the home stands toward the Lake locker room.
The Cougars from Lake County were understandably crestfallen, filing past Coach Marty Gibbons and members of his coaching staff one by one, pads in tow.
“I’m proud that the team and I came this far,” Lake senior t wo-way starter Ryan Globokar said. “Nobody thought at the beginning of the season or the beginning of the playoffs that we would be here. But we were just so close. It just doesn’t feel too good right now.”
After an interception by Dru Johnson, Van Wert took over at its 45 and went on the winning march.
Quar terback Owen Treece, who accounted for 342 yards from scrimmage, completed a pass to Nate Jackson (seven catches, 61 yards) to the Lake 28, then called his own number for 13 yards to the 15.
Treece then ran again for seven yards to the 8.
On fourth-and-short, McCracken was called upon.
“It feels like time is frozen almost on a drive like that when the other team has the football,” Gibbons said. “Anything you can do to get your guys refocused and see the situation for what it is. Credit to Van Wert. Van Wert did an awesome job. Their resiliency is very evident and what a team they were.”
On Van Wert’s local radio broadcast, the announcers noted the jarring fact: McCracken had not attempted a field goal all season.
A f ter timeouts were traded, the snap was a bit high to Treece for the placement. But he got it down for McCracken.
Lake got some pressure in, and the kick seemingly floated forever in the air. It snuck just over the crossbar for the winning points.
“Yeah, I was watching it on the field, and I was just hoping it would fall short,” Globokar said.
Locked in a 21-21 game in the fourth, Lake forced a punt.
On third-and-4 from the 50, Joe Malchesky faked, found a seam and went down the left sideline for a touchdown. The ball was jarred loose as he crossed, but the play was reviewed and confirmed the plane was reached beforehand. Luke Hadley banged in the extra point in a driving rain for a 28-21 lead.
Malchesky had objectively one of the better allaround performances by a News-Herald coverage area player in a state football final.
The senior ran for 219 yards on 30 carries and two TDs, threw for another 55 yards, averaged 35.6 yards per punt on a rainy afternoon and logged a teamhigh 11.5 tackles, 2.5 for loss, on defense.
Van Wert embarked on a 73-yard jaunt to tie it back up at 28-28.
Treece, under heavy pressure, threw toward the end zone and Jackson made a tremendous grab in traffic for a 15-yard TD.
Malchesky rumbled for a 47-yard score 2:59 into the third for a 21-7 advantage, and Lake forced a punt thereafter.
The backbreaking kind of drive Lake required then and there wasn’t to be, however, and it punted.
Treece capped a sevenplay drive with a two-yard TD run to make it 21-14, and Van Wert was firmly on the comeback trail.
For all his seasoning growing up in a coaching family, as well as being a recipient of it as a player himself, Gibbons knew this postgame speech would be unlike any he had experienced before.
Eloquence is a struggle — not only to provide comfort, but to summarize what was regarded by observers as an underdog state-final charge that will, in time, be revered in Lake lore.
“There’s nothing to hang their hats about,” Gibbons said. “I really believe that, but it’s hard for me to say that. I know what they’re thinking. I’ve been there. It sucks. There are no words that make you feel better. Time can heal all wounds.
“I think for me, my message is, I think through time, you’re going to find out how much we care and how much they care about each other. Because we’re going to continue to stay connected. They’re always welcome. That’s kind of it, I guess.”
Added Globokar: “I am so proud. Again, nobody would expect this. Coach Marty Gibbons has just done a phenomenal job. He turned everything around, and we were just ready to put Lake Catholic back on the map. And that is all that matters.”