'He's right there with any of them,' Conner Lehner sparks Mogadore football postseason win
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MOGADORE — The night began with the Mogadore band and cheerleaders performing “Happy Birthday” for superfan Richie Stefan’s 56th birthday.
It ended with the entire team serenading Stefan.
One could say the festivities never stopped for the home team as third-seeded Mogadore topped sixth-seeded East Palestine 54-7 in a Region 25 quarterfinal Nov. 7.
"I'm real proud that a lot of people were worried about us having rust," Wildcats coach Matt Adorni said. "And we really did not have any rust tonight."
The Wildcats (10-1) got going right away.
After forcing an opening three-and-out, Mogadore reached the end zone on its second play from scrimmage as senior running back Conner Lehner raced toward his left tackle and broke free of the defense for a 69-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.
"It was just an iso rep, right off the tackle's butt," Lehner said. "The blocking was perfect, and I was just gone."
The next sequence was arguably the most important of the night. The final score masks what was, at least early on, an effective East Palestine offense. Sophomore quarterback Clark Rutledge took off for 15 yards on his first carry of the night. His second resulted in a 20-yard gain. The Bulldogs (8-4) methodically marched to the Wildcats 11 without facing a third down. That’s when Wildcats quarterback Maddox Smith forever changed the game.
Yes, that’s right, Wildcats junior quarterback (and defensive back) Maddox Smith, who blasted receiver Braydon Plum on a first-down crossing route as the ball fell to the turf.
"You almost want to tell him to back off a little bit, but you can't because that will take away what he's all about," Adorni said. "For me, it's quite different having a quarterback making as many tackles and being this active on defense, but I've just kind of had to learn to live with it."
Mogadore then caught a break when a low snap forced Rutledge’s knee to the turf, resulting in third-and-15. On third-and-long, Rutledge again looked Plum’s way. Unfortunately for the quarterback, Smith was there stride for stride with Plum once again for the red-zone pick.
"They were moving the ball real well," Smith said. "We knew they're a big passing team and their quarterback liked to throw it up a little bit, so I saw it in the air and had to go get it."
Having held the Bulldogs off the scoreboard, the Wildcats wasted no time changing the scoreboard in their favor. On the third play of Mogadore's ensuing drive, Lehner surged inside the left tackle on third-and-3 for a 73-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead.
"He does a good job picking the hole, and once he got in the second level, he's going to be very dangerous for this team," Adorni said. "Dylan Benedum is in there and he's a good-sized kid. He throws some crushing blocks in the hole."
On those first two touchdowns, Lehner exploded through the hole created by left tackle Shayne Thomas and left guard Cole Turner. His third score, from 19 yards out as he scurried around the left end on a counter out of the pistol, featured a similarly impressive show from his offensive line.
"They're always just busting their tails," Lehner said. "My third touchdown, I don't think I had an easier touchdown in my life. That was insane blocking."
Those themes continued all half as Mogadore marched out to a 54-0 lead, triggering the running clock.
Lehner finished with 242 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries — all in the first half.
"He's a really, really good football player," Adorni said. "I've been blessed with a lot of really good running backs. He's right there with any of them."
Smith soon made his name known on the offensive side as well with a 21-yard rushing touchdown and two play-action deep balls to Collin Hendrickson for a combined 92 yards and two scores.
Kade Thomas added two picks and a fumble recovery and Tyler Pendergast ran for two touchdowns and made six extra points for Mogadore.
Perhaps most promising, the Wildcats showcased a dominant physical brand of football.
The hits were resounding. On special teams. In pass coverage. In stuffing the run.
"I love the way we executed and the way we attacked," Adorni said. "It was hard to tell probably up in the stands, but being on the field, we did a lot of hitting, special teams hits, and we played a very physical, violent game, and that's what we needed to do."
As a result, the festivities will continue at Mogadore Memorial Stadium for another week as the Wildcats will next host No. 7 East Canton in a Region 25 semifinal.
Contact Jonah L. Rosenblum at jrosenblum@recordpub.com and follow him on Twitter at @JLRSports.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Conner Lehner four-TD night sparks Mogadore football's postseason win
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