By Caleb Turner ,
5 hours ago
Mayfield High School. Photo: SilentMatt Psychedelic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mayfield’s perfect season survived its toughest test yet on a cold, rainy Friday night. The No. 4 seed Wildcats built a 26-7 lead, watched No. 5 Wadsworth storm back within one score, and then closed the door for a 32-21 victory in a Division II, Region 5 regional quarterfinal at Mayfield. Mayfield improved to 11-0 — just the third 11-0 start in program history, according to OhioVarsity — while Wadsworth’s season ended at 9-3.
Mayfield set the tone early. Quarterback Dario D’Agostino connected with Ryan Eppich for a first-quarter touchdown, and C.J. Melaragno punched in a second-quarter rushing score for a 13-0 halftime lead, according to the game accounts published by OhioVarsity and Kee On Sports. The Wildcats’ defense authored the half’s biggest moment, turning Wadsworth away on a goal-line stand after a Jay’len King touchdown catch was wiped out by an offensive pass-interference penalty, Kee On Sports reported.
Wadsworth struck first after halftime — on the very first play. Quarterback Brysen Hall hit King for a 72-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 13-7, a play all three game account...