Mogadore runs past East Canton 47-14 to advance to the D7 Regional Final
MOGADORE, OH- The Mogadore Wildcats football program are no strangers to the Regional Championship having won 17 in their school history. On Friday night at Memorial Stadium the 2025 version #3 seed Wildcats hosted the #7 seed East Canton Hornets. They cruised to a 47-14 win putting themselves in position to have a shot at Regional Championship number 18.
Mogadore wasted no time getting on the board after receiving the opening kickoff that was returned to their 46 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage star running back Conner Lehner took the handoff 56 yards to the house. The PAT was no good and the Wilcats jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead.
After a three and out punt by the Hornets, Mogadore would go 70 yards in 7 plays. Lehner would get it started with a big 38-yard run giving him just under 100 yards after his first two touches of the game. The drive was capped off by a Dylan Benedum 26-yard touchdown run. The two point attempt was no good making it a 12-0 Mogadore lead.
Dylan Benedum with a 26-yard touchdown run in the 1st quarter
The Wildcats defense would force another three and out after Mogadore defensive lineman Chris Wunder sacked Hornets quarterback Owen McCroskey for a 6-yard loss on 3rd and 9 forcing a second straight punt.
After three straight runs to start the next Wildcat drive, Maddox Smith hit Kade Thomas for a big 43-yard gain down to the Hornets 15 yard line.
Maddox Smith with a big 43-yard pass play to Kade Thomas
Three plays later Lehner cashed in his second score of the night on a 3-yard touchdown run. The Tyler Pendergast PAT made it a 19-0 lead.
Conner Lehner punches in hit 2nd TD of the quarter
East Canton would turn it right back over to the Wildcats at the start of the 2nd quarter when Thomas picked off McCroskey and returned it 48-yards for a touchdown. The Pendergast PAT put Mogadore up 26-0.
The next Hornets possession ended the same as the last with a sack on third down forcing a punt. This time it was courtesy of Wildcats linebacker Aiden Boylen. Mogadore proceeded to go 52 yards in 6 plays as Benedum would pick up his 2nd touchdown of the game on a 3-yard plunge. Pendergast PAT put Mogadore up 33-0 with 6:45 to play in the half.
Dylan Benedum with his 2nd TD of the game
The Hornets finally were able to convert a 1st down on their next possession as they put together an 11 play drive finished off with a nice 30-yard touchdown pass from McCroskey to Aydan Stephens. The PAT cut the deficit to 33-7 with 2:19 to play in the half.
The Wildcats would answer right back before halftime when Smith took a quarterback keeper 55 yards to the house with 11 seconds to play. The PAT made it a 40-7 Mogadore lead at the half.
Maddox Smith with a 55-yard TD run before the half
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It was an uneventful and scoreless 3rd quarter that started with a running clock out of halftime.
Mogadore would add a late 1-yard touchdown run by freshman Jaykob Dasco with just over eight minutes to play. The Pendergast PAT put Mogadore up 40 at 47-7.
Jaykob Dasco with the final Wildcats TD of the game
East Canton would add a late score to make the final score 47-14 as the Wildcats punched their ticket to the Division VII Regional Championship.
They will take on #1 seed McDonald who defeated Monroeville 40-13. The game will take place on Friday (11/21) at a neutral site to be determined.
Conner Lehner led the way with 170 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Maddox Smith accounted for 164 total yards (84 rushing, 80 passing) and a score. Dylan Benedum with a pair of touchdowns and Kade Thomas with 4 receptions for 80 yards.
