HS Football Title Game: Van Wert Rallies To Beat Lake Catholic 31-28, Win Division IV Championship

MASSILLON, OHIO — For the first time in school history, the Van West Cougars are bringing home a state title.

It wasn’t easy, but fourth quarter magic from quarterback Owen Treece helped seal the deal for Van Wert on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams fought to a scoreless tie after the first quarter, fueled by two red zone stops for Lake Catholic on fourth down.

The first points came on a trick play that ended in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Nick Brandt to Brady Bowser.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

2Q | 11:56
Lake Catholic – 7
Van Wert – 0

Trick play TOUCHDOWN on fourth and goal for Lake Catholic!

Pass was from Nick Brandt to Brady Bowser.@VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/xi5DLf3eKC

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

After a Maddix Crutchfield touchdown reception evened the game, Lake Catholic would strike back on a 1-yard carry by Ryan Joy.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

2Q | 5:04
Lake Catholic – 14
Van Wert – 7

1-yard touchdown carry by Ryan Joy puts Lake Catholic back on top!

Just a wild sequence of plays.@VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/8ezwxorGd5

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

Previous to that touchdown, Van Wert threw an interception and fumbled, setting up an easy drive that made the score 14-7 at the break.

Lake Catholic opened up a larger lead to start the second half with a 50-yard touchdown run by Joe Malchesky.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

3Q | 9:01
Lake Catholic Cougars – 21
Van Wert Cougars – 7

Rain is no problem for scrambling quarterback Joe Malchesky, who runs 53 yards for the Lake Catholic TD! @VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/buXZz5flIV

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

Malchesky was stellar in this game, carrying the ball 30 times for 232 yards.

Trailing 21-7, Van Wert had to figure something out on offense before it was too late.

With heavy rain pouring down, a comeback would be a tall task for many quarterbacks.

Not for Owen Treece.

Treece powered forward for a 2-yard touchdown carry to cut the deficit to 21-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Then early in the fourth, Treece connected with Connor Pratt to tie the game up at 21-21.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

4Q | 11:46
Lake Catholic – 21
Van Wert – 21

Van Wert has made a double digit comeback to tie the game!

It comes on a 42 yard pass from Owen Treece to Connor Pratt.@VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/Ba30E4SLea

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

Lake Catholic wasn’t going down east though, as Malchesky broke loose for another long touchdown run to regain the lead with 5:25 in regulation.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

4Q | 5:25
Lake Catholic – 28
Van Wert – 21

JOE MALCHESKY! The quarterback dashes 50 yards for the go-ahead score! @VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/4t23EFNs44

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

This ended up being the last score for Lake Catholic.

Treece threw another touchdown pass to even the game at 28-28 with just over two minutes to go.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

4Q | 2:30
Lake Catholic – 28
Van Wert – 28

Treece runs a marathon in the pocket before connecting with Nathan Jackson for a game tying TD! Unbelievable!@VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/cekbtOeGzE

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

Then, after a crucial interception by Dru Johnson, Van West drove down field to set up a game winning field goal by Damon McCracken.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

4Q | 0:09
Van Wert – 31
Lake Catholic – 28

Van Wert field goal is GOOD, and they have a lead with just seconds to go.@VanWertCougars @VanWertHS @LCHS_Cougars @LCCougarsAD pic.twitter.com/b2uFUrABiP

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

Malchesky’s desperation pass attempt in the final seconds was intercepted. By who? None other than quarterback Owen Treece.

Division IV State Championship 🏆

*Final Score*
Van Wert – 31
Lake Catholic – 28

Owen Treece picks off the desperation heave, and the Van Wert Cougars are state champions for the first time in school history! pic.twitter.com/Q7Tjv5osJI

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 22, 2020

With the 31-28 comeback victory, Van Wert finishes 11-1, winning their first championship in school history.

Owen Treece was brilliant, as the senior threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 89 yards and a touchdown on the ground, accounting for all four Van Wert scores.

It promises to be a fun night in the town of Van Wert, as the Cougars are bringing home the hardware.

Van Wert 0 7 7 17 31

Lake Catholic 0 14 7 7 28

Full Statistics: https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/Football/2020/D4-20-F.HTM