The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Future is bright for Gibbons, Cougars
MASSILLON » Marty Gibbons struggled to fight back the tears as he stood in front of his heartbroken team Nov. 22 at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
While players knelt around them weeping after Lake Catholic’s 31-28 loss to Van Wert in the D-IV state championship game, the second-year coach of of the Lake Catholic football team took a deep breath and did something he didn’t need too do.
He apologized.
“I’m sorry,” Gibbons said, his voice quivering with emotion. “I wish I could have done a better job for you guys.”
Lake Catholic’s Cinderella season — well, don’t call it that because that grind Gibbons’ gears like none other — came to an end when Van Wert’s Damon McCracken kicked his first field goal of the season with nine seconds left to break a 28-28 tie.
It was a game in which Lake Catholic at one point led, 21-7, in the third quarter.
So that being said, what-ifs aren’t difficult to come by.
But apologize. No, Gibbons certainly didn’t need to do that.
Lake Catholic is one of the most storied programs in Northeast Ohio, with 20 playoff performances and three state championships to its name.
But prior to the 2020 season, nine years had passed since Lake Catholic had qualified for the playoffs.
And when Lake Catholic trailed Kirtland, 310, midway through the fourth quarter in the season opener and had only 62 yards of offense at that point, there was certainly reason for the Cougars to hang their heads in a “Here we go again” manner.
Yet Lake persevered and fought its way all the way to the D-IV state champi-onship game.
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Lake Catholic program rose to prominence again.
That is why the events of Nov. 22 stung so bad.
Because all that was left to do was finish.
And Lake was a play or two short of that.
Everyone — literally everyone — on the Lake sideline left its heart on the field. At the top of the list was senior Joe Malchesky. As a quarterback, he threw for 55 yards and ran for a game-high 219 yards and two touchdowns.
As a defensive back, he had a game-high 11.5 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack and an interception.
“Joe’s ridiculous. Ridiculous,” Gibbons said. “He’s
the heart and soul of our program.
“In the biggest games, he doesn’t flinch. He’s a huge reason why we’re in this game.”
The offensive line paved the way for a 318-yard offensive performance.
The defense not once, but twice held Van Wert out of the end zone in the first quarter when those Cougars had first-and-goal situations.
When the weather soured and a sheeting rain pounded Paul Brown Stadium, the Cougars didn’t run for cover. They lowered their shoulders and plowed on.
From where Lake Catholic started — by getting plowed by Kirtland in the season opener—to where it finished — a play or two from winning the D-IV state championship — was a remarkable ride.
That is why the loss stings.
“Anytime I got to go on the field with my team, my brothers, I was proud to do it,” senior linebacker Simon Taraska said. “Win or lose, this was the last time I was going to get to play with my brothers. Now I’ve got to soak in one last bus ride home with them.”
When the Lake Catholic players emerged from the locker room, they weren’t greeted by disappointed fans. They were greeted by applause from family, friends and alumni who hadn’t been seen at Lake Catholic games in years prior to the 2020 magic carpet ride.
“Everything you guys did the last two years has made my world,” Gibbons told his players. “You are everything a Lake Catholic Cougar is.”
Including a group of potential trend-setters. If Lake Catholic goes on an other run of deep playoff runs, the 2020 season will be a benchmark of where it all started.
“Heads up,” yelled 1988 alum Willie Beers as players streamed out of the locker room. “You guys have put Lake Catholic back on the map.”
Especially Marty Gibbons — a coach who had no reason to apologize Nov. 22.