COPLEY, Ohio — What to do when a rebuilding project comes in ahead of schedule, under budget and better than expected? Keep building.
Tallmadge's Tyrin Williams runs through a huge hole for a first down against Copley on Friday night in the second quarter at Copley Stadium.
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(Chuck Crow / PD)
COPLEY, Ohio — What to do when a rebuilding project comes in ahead of schedule, under budget and better than expected?
Keep building.
Tallmadge hammered away at host Copley, winning, 34-14, on Friday, and the young Blue Devils' season continues to reach unexpected heights.
They are 9-0 a year after going 2-8 with a lineup that features 15 juniors and sophomores, and they clinched a least a share of the Suburban League title at 6-0. Tallmadge is a virtual lock for a Division II playoff berth and could enter the regular season's final week as high as No. 1 in Region 5.
"We're surprised coming off a 2-8 season, and we're very happy," said Tallmadge tailback Tyrin Williams.
Williams and especially the Blue Devils' offensive line had another big night. Williams rushed for a methodical 174 yards and one touchdown on 39 carries behind tackles Jon Cipa and Grayson Clark, guards Joe Rienzi and Kris Kamps, and center Austin Thompson.
Williams' motivation to outplay Copley sophomore standout Aregeros "Deucey" Turner grew exponentially when he saw Turner's 58-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game.
"He's supposed to be the best running back and he's got more publicity than I got, so I was just trying to show him up," said Williams, a 5-7, 175-pound junior.
Turner had 134 yards on 11 carries.
Copley (8-1, 5-1) remains in good shape for a Region 5 playoff berth if it beats rival Revere next week, but its performance in the season's biggest game raised some red flags.
"We've gone against teams that have been bigger and we've gone against teams that have been stronger, but their resolve to control the line won out," Copley coach Ron Viscounte said. "They certainly wore on us. They out-physicalled us."
Tallmadge responded to Turner's long touchdown with the first of several long drives. The Blue Devils covered 78 yards on 13 plays. Williams had nine carries for 40 yards and sophomore quarterback Anthony Gotto completed three passes, including a 14-yard touchdown to Kyle Tywon. Mitch Heath's extra point tied it.
"When we responded and drove down the field to tie it, that was crucial for our psyche," Tallmadge coach Joe Vassalotti said. "It was important that we were physical at the line of scrimmage because we cannot match their speed."
That was the first salvo in a 27-0 run.
Tallmadge's next drive was more of the same -- 12 plays, 67 yards -- and Williams gained 48 yards. He scored on a 9-yard run, following a big block by Thompson.
The Blue Devils took advantage of Copley breakdowns for a pair of second-quarter field goals by Heath (36 and 37 yards).
Copley managed just four first downs in the first half following Turner's touchdown run.
Tallmadge pieced together another 12-play drive in the third quarter. Gotto completed three passes for 50 yards and Dylan Getz's 1-yard dive pushed the lead to 27-7.
The Indians got standout receiver Shawn Taylor loose late in the third quarter. He caught five balls for 40 yards on a 73-yard drive, and quarterback Lou Gigliotti threw a 5-yard TD pass to C.J. Chatman on the last play of the quarter.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661