Defense shines as FHC smothers Mason in D3 Title Game

The first five state championship games this year featured a heck of a lot of offense. This time around it was the defenses that shined brightest. Forest Hills Central came into this game and set the tone defensively, completely eliminating any run game from Mason. Mason on the other hand had their own great moments on defense, forcing several stops. At the end of the day, it was FHC that was the more physical and opportunistic squad. This article will showcase my notes for players on both sides.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills Central</h2>   DB | [player_tooltip player_id='251945' first='Ty' last='Hudkins'] | FHC | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15709486/Ty-Hudkins">Hudl</a>   STATS: 3 Tackles, 1INT, 6 receptions, 115yds, 1TD   Ty's entire high school career has led up to this outstanding state championship performance. Like I've said many times this weekend, the stats don't do his performance justice.   Defensively Ty was a force. He just had 3 tackles, and that's because his coverage was superb. When he did get an opportunity to tackle, he delivered some (clean) killshots. He seriously had a few hits that had the entire Mason crowed going "oooooh!" Ty also had an interception, which was one of the best interceptions I've seen in my 3 years covering High School football. It was tipped, on the sideline, and Ty had to dive to get his hands on it just before it hit the ground. I wish Bally Sports would post the replay, but I promise you it's almost as good as Ty's receiving touchdown.   About that receiving touchdown- just look at the tweet embedded below. Ty brings the ball in at the 25, then drags a defender 20 yards before diving at the pylon to secure an incredible touchdown. He had 5 other receptions and truly put the team on his back throughout this game. An absolute legacy game from Ty who I know has worked relentlessly to get where he is today.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1728862986062659691 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/MG_4984-crop-1395x916-1701042690.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1096690" style="width:558px;height:auto" /></figure>   LB/RB | [player_tooltip player_id='253230' first='JT' last='Hartman'] | | FHC | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14430937/JT-Hartman">Hudl</a>   STATS: 8 Tackles, 2TFLs, 1Sack, 1INT, 15 carries, 68yds, 1TD   I've always viewed JT as a running back before anything else, but today he shined on defense. Playing as a linebacker, JT played great football in pass coverage while rushing the passer a few times as well. When Mason tried to run the ball, JT was one of the guys to stop it. JT seemed to be in the zone the entire game and absolutely did not slow down as the game went on. As Mason was forced to pass more and more, JT played faster and faster. JTs sack came early in the 3rd quarter as Mason was trying their hardest to make it a 1-possession game.   OLB/DB | Drew Fortino | FHC | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14431199/Drew-Fortino">Hudl</a>   STATS: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1TD, 1Sack   Drew's pick-6 midway through the 4th quarter all but sealed it for The Rangers. Even before the pick, Drew proved to be an incredibly reactive defensive back who was near a lot of plays and did not have the ball thrown his way often. I need to watch the film to say much more about Drew, but I know he played well and I know he meant a lot to this FHC team.   DL | Orin Roskam | FHC | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16219473/Orion-Roskam">Hudl</a>   STATS: 4 tackles, 1TFL   Orin made a few great run defense stops. He had two tackles in the first half with went for a total of 3 yards, and two tackles in the 2nd half that went for -2 yards. Orin wasn't quite quick enough to earn any sacks, but he was a force in the middle, shed blocks, and a big reason why Mason could not get anything going on the ground.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/MG_5060.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1096688" style="width:406px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">QB | Mason McDonald | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11783099/Mason-McDonald/about">Hudl</a></h2>   STATS: 8-12, 142yds, 1TD, 74 rushyds   Mason played his usual role as a game manager and did so very well. It didn't quite all come together in last year's state title as he was subbed in and out periodically. But this year as the solid QB1, he was able to settle in and do well against a great defense. He still didn't blow me away with any elite abilities, but I give him major credit for doing his job and not making any mistakes on the biggest stage of his life.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mason</h2>   LB/TE | Kaleb Perrish | Mason | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11412398/Kaleb-Parrish/about">Hudl</a>   STATS: 8 receptions, 102yds, 14 tackles, 1TFL   Perrish was the heart and soul of Mason today. I'm not sure how many targets he had, but he was targeted way more than 8 times. Mason was forced to throw the ball at almost every down and Kaleb was more often than not the one targeted. His big 6'5" frame allowed him to get some balls most receivers wouldn't. He also did his best to do some work after the catch.   Defensively, Kaleb was all over the field. He was equally as involved in stopping the pass as he was the rush. Just an overall great day from Kaleb, and I know this stage wasn't too big for him.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">DB/RB/LB | [player_tooltip player_id='254032' first='AJ' last='Martel'] | Mason | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11651111/AJ-Martel/about">Hudl</a></h2>   STATS: 6 tackles, 14 rush yds   AJ unfortunately did not play for the vast majority of the second half due to what I assume has to be an injury. Early in the game, he was stuffed on his runs and could not get anything going. Defensively, AJ played extremely fast and was on pace to have a day similar to Kaleb if it weren't for the injury. I really wish he was able to play the full game but can't do anything about that now.   DL | Grant Gilchrist | Mason | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11655687/Grant-Gilchrist/about">Hudl</a>   STATS: 8 Tackles   Grant was one bright spot on the Mason defensive line. Honestly, I didn't watch him in particular too much. But he's a 5'11 230lb player who was able to anchor himself and stop the run.   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='589851' first='Cason' last='Carswell'] | Mason | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12070034/Cason-Carswell">Hudl</a>   STATS: 22-40, 229yds, 0TDs, 3INTs   Cason had the weight of the world on his shoulders today. Mason was forced to throw the ball just about every down, and Cason was faced with probably the best defense he's ever faced alongside the entire city watching him. I don't think he let the pressure get to him per say, but I am saying he was put in an impossible situation. His 3 interceptions aren't a good thing, but two of his picks were in the 4th quarter in do-or-die situations. Considering he was dealing with a constant pass rush alongside an elite secondary, Cason did well completing 22 passes for 229 yards.

The first five state championship games this year featured a heck of a lot of offense. This time around it was the defenses that shined brightest. Forest Hills Central came into this game and set the tone defensively, completely eliminating any run game from Mason. Mason on the other hand had their own great moments on defense, forcing several stops. At the end of the day, it was FHC that was the more physical and opportunistic squad. This article will showcase my notes for players on both sides.