Maple Heights gets "Shifty" over Dover with 28-22 victory to move to 2-0 on the season

Maple Heights takes home a 28-22 win over Dover at Crater Stadium. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia)

DOVER, Ohio- The second week of Ohio High School Football showcases two teams with a record of (1-0), featuring the Dover Crimson Tornadoes and the Maple Heights Mustangs, with the Mustangs walking off a 28-22 win at Crater Stadium. 

Maple Heights would be missing their starting quarterback, Luke Anzlover, and defensive back, Kindall Brown, for this game due to undisclosed reasons. Additionally, Dover would be without running back and linebacker Liam Mast. 

Mike 'Shifty' Banks of the Mustangs played a pivotal role in the victory, serving as the workhorse of the game. 

Mike 'Shifty' Banks after a score, he had three touchdowns, two rushing and one passing on the night. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

"I'm a winner, you know, so wherever he [Shaq Williams] put me, we could win a ballgame," said Banks

Dover's defense would also play a crucial role throughout the game, as the first quarter was not particularly strong offensively. Both teams struggled, remaining scoreless until 5:06 remained in the opening quarter, when Banks orchestrated a drive that resulted in the first points at 2:48 left. 

He would pass to Marlon Brown, allowing them to take an 8-0 lead following a successful 2-point conversion, that would remain the score ending the quarter.

Opening up the second Dover would put together a drive off a couple of big plays by running back Justin Hughes that led to Jack Judkins punching in a 3-yard score with 11:19 left. That score would tie the game at 8-8 with the 2-point conversion. 

Dover's Jack Judkins is looking for daylight during the second quarter score. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

On the ensuing drive, Dover's Mayson Royer would pick off Banks, which would lead to Judkins throwing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Hughes to take the lead 14-8 after a failed point after. 

With Maple sticking to the run game for most of the half, Banks would come up big with 2:47 left to knot things up at 14-14 with a 2-point conversion that put them in the lead 16-14. As that would be the score at the half.

Both defenses resulted in numerous punting situations until Dover managed to sustain a drive that brought them within the Maple Heights 10-yard line. After failing to advance the ball on three attempts, they opted for it on 4th and inches. Following a few stalled plays, Judkins executed an outside pitch to Justice Hughes, who scored on a 3-yard touchdown, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, allowing them to take the lead at 22-16.

Mike 'Shifty' Banks outruns Dover defense 42 yards for this game-tying touchdown. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, it became increasingly intense, with the Mustangs at midfield at 4:04. They executed an outside counter that successfully penetrated the seam where Dover had maintained control for the majority of the game. This play resulted in a 42-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 22-22. 

On the next possession for Dover, Judkins would throw the ball directly to Maple Heights defensive back Power Hopson within their own territory, which led to the game-winning triple option play that secured the victory for the Mustangs. 

"Aww man, he definitely made some spectacular plays tonight. I thought he did a great job at overcoming some adversity early, and he made some big plays for us down the stretch," said Coach Washington when speaking on Mike Banks' performance.

Maple Heights moves to (2-0) and will play Beechcroft away, Dover falls to (1-1) on the season, and will host West Holmes in week three.