'We're just a selfless team:' Five interceptions help Mason beat Oak Hills in GMC opener
BRIDGETOWN, Ohio – The Mason football team took a tough loss last week in its 2023 season opener, only scoring five points, two on a safety, in a 10-5 loss to 2022 Division I state semifinalist Gahanna Lincoln.
The Comets, who were runner-ups in the Greater Miami Conference last year, took a key first step in making a run at this year’s crown with a 24-14 win at Oak Hills Friday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown matchup of the week.
“It feels really good to get that bad taste out of our mouths,” Mason senior Kyle Wilson said. “That was the main thing we were harping on all week and I'm just glad we can get the ‘W’ for the boys because we're all playing for each other. We're just a selfless team.”
Said Mason head coach Brian Castner: “To win a game in the GMC and go 1-0 for the week and 1-0 in the conference, that's a good feeling. I thought some kids grew tonight. We got kids that were playing for the first time. We got to win a game and grow. That happened in multiple spots.”
After the teams were tied at 7 at halftime, Mason scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter. Ten of them were set up by two of Mason’s five interceptions on the night.
“Just a great high school game,” Castner said. “My hat goes off to Oak Hills. They battled well, and we were just able to score one more (touchdown) than them.”
Three keys to Mason’s victory
Mason had five interceptions tonight, returning them for 61 total yards.
Kyle Wilson had two of the biggest. Early in the second quarter, with Mason up 7-0, Mason fumbled a punt at its own 25, Wilson intercepted Oak Hills’ Will Kraus at the goal line and returned it to the Comets’ 28.
With three minutes left in the third quarter and Mason up 14-7, Wilson intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards to the 2-yard line, setting up a TD and a 21-7 Mason lead.
“I was just doing my job, doing my assignment,” Wilson said. “When everyone on the defense does their job, good things are going to happen.”
Said Castner: “In the second half, we made a commitment to making sure we go play the play and that’s what our defense did. We got pressure on the quarterback and made it a little bit uneasy for him and he had to rush some stuff.”
Preston Estoesta picked off Oak Hills near his goal line at the end of the half. A Tyler Dalton interception set up a short field and a field goal by Max Gogul that put the Comets up, 24-7. Steven McCalmont ended Oak Hills’ last chance with an interception near his goal line in the final two minutes.
2. Mason rushed for 215 yards, 110 by senior Chase Blevens on 12 carries. Sky Talley had 41 yards, most of them in the first quarter. Blevens had a 48-yard run and also caught a 33-yard TD pass on a screen.
“The whole line blocked and everyone did their job,” Blevens said. “That's our motto: Everyone do their job. The o-line worked their tails off. Love to see it.”
Said Castner: “We’re kind of running back by committee, and early in the season. I don't have a problem with that.. We have to just be able to get into a flow of the game. We've got to continue to focus on winning the line of scrimmage.”
3. Besides the five interceptions, Mason limited Oak Hills to 67 yards rushing.
Top players
Chase Blevens, Mason: The senior running back rushed for 110 yards and had a 33-yard catch-and-run TD.
Kyle Wilson, Mason: As noted earlier, he had two big interceptions at crucial moments.
Caden Ashhurst, Mason: The junior quarterback threw that 33-yard touchdown pass to Blevens a couple of plays after entering the game for senior Quinn Brown, who was injured. On the play, he had a rusher come at him immediately but was able to get the ball to Blevens, who was crossing behind the defender. Blevens did the rest with his speed.
Max Rhodes, Oak Hills: The sophomore led all players with 13 tackles, nine solo. He forced a fumble at his own goal line in the first quarter with the game scoreless.
Max Supe, Oak Hills: The senior standout showed his speed on an 81-yard touchdown to make it 24-14 and give the Highlanders a chance.
Things to improve
Both teams had problems with turnovers. It’s hard for any team to win a game with five interceptions, so the Highlanders need to focus on that.
Mason had three turnovers, some of them costing them points.
What’s next?
Oak Hills plays at Colerain, who lost 20-3 to Middletown in Week 2.
Mason plays at Hamilton, a team that shut out Lakota East 20-0 Friday to also go 1-0 in the GMC.
Mason 24, Oak Hills 14
Mason – 7 0 17 0 – 24
Oak Hills – 0 7 0 7 – 14
M – Billhorn 36 pass from Brown (Gogul kick)
O – Triggs 4 pass from Kraus (Shouse kick)
M – Blevens 34 pass from Ashhurst (Gogul kick)
M – Ashhurst 1 run (Gogul kick)
M – Gogul 36 FG
O – Supe 81 pass from Kraus (Shouse kick)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio high school football: Mason beat Oak Hills in GMC opener
