TOLEDO — History was ripe for the taking and the Cumberland football team did just that.
The Pirates won nine games for the first time in school history last Saturday when they defeated Sullivan at Pirate Field, 20-6. The win moved Cumberland into the second round of the Class 2A Playoffs. The Pirates defeated the Redskins, 35-21, in Week 7.
“They had some kids that played that didn’t play the last time we played them and that’s what you expect when you get to the playoffs,” head coach Lucas Watkins said. “You have to find ways to win games like that.”
Cumberland worked the run game effectively the entire afternoon, rushing for 198 yards.
Logan Aaron led the team with 81 rushing yards on seven carries. Hudson McElravy had 53 rushing yards on nine carries and three touchdowns. Owen McGinnis had 11 carries for 31 yards. Logan Gerhardt had six for 23 and Kale McMechan had five for 16. Reid Carlen also got in the action, carrying the ball one time, but for negative yardage.
McElavy threw for 95 yards on 6-of-13 passing and one interception.
Top target Zach Harmon didn’t have one reception.
Watkins said he still made an impact, though.
“People know who he is,” said Watkins of Harmon. “They’re putting different coverages and stuff on him; everywhere he goes, two guys go.”
Gerhardt caught two passes for 34 yards. McMechan had three receptions for 27 yards and Carlen had one for 34 yards.
“He’s an athlete,” said Watkins of Carlen. “He’s a first-year player and one of the fastest kids in the conference. You’ve got to acknowledge him when we’re in certain formations and isolate him. Sometimes, he draws a safety over the top, which gives us a favorable run box.”
Gerhardt had eight tackles. McGinnis had six, four assisted. Isaac Venatta had six, two assisted, three sacks and three tackles for loss. McElravy had four tackles, one assisted. Mason Robinson had three tackles, three assisted, and one for loss. McMechan had two tackles, one assisted.
Carlen had one tackle. Harmon had one tackle, three assisted, and one for loss. Aaron, Bryson Weber, Waylon Thornton and Jaxon Sherrick each had one tackle.
Max Strader had one tackle, one assisted. Sawyer Wellbaum and Gavin Keyser each had two assisted tackles and Harley Pierce, Daniel Nichols and Austin Becker each had one assisted tackle.
The Pirates will look to make even more history when they travel to Arthur today at 1 p.m. for a matchup against third-seeded Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. The win would push Cumberland into the quarterfinals for the first time in school history.