by Norton, Ohio – Behind a strong ground-and-pound rushing attack, the Namers are moving on to the next round.
#8 Holy Name, which defeated #9 Bay, 28-0, last week to open up postseason play, defeated top-seeded Norton by the same score Friday night in Division III, Region 10 action.
In the first quarter, Norton used their ground attack to move into the red zone, but the Holy Name defense stood firm, forcing a turnover on downs.
Junior Kristion Sanchez opened up the scoring with a two-yard rushing touchdown early in the second quarter. This put the Namers up 7-0.
Norton would counter by gaining a few first downs on their drive, aided by a personal foul penalty. However, the Namer defense came up with a goal-line stand to keep the Panthers off the board.
The Holy Name offense would bleed the clock down to its waning seconds in an attempt to play keep-away and widen their lead going into the half.
“We had to keep their offense off the field, and that was one of our big things was ball control.” said Holy Name head coach Dan Wondolowski.
Junior quarterback Jayvon Williams scampered for a big gain that initially put the Namers in the red-zone. However, a facemask penalty put the ball at the 40 instead, and an incomplete pass ended the half.
After a Norton punt, the Holy Name offense struck again.
They bled nearly five minutes off the clock in third quarter thanks to an effective ground game. Kristion Sanchez rushed for his second touchdown of the game, increasing the lead to 14-0 with 1:27 left in the third. Sanchez had 18 carries for 93 yards and the two scores.
In the fourth quarter, Jayvon Williams scampered in from nine yards out. This increased the lead to 21-0 with 8:01 remaining. Williams led all rushers with 13 carries for 163 yards and the score.
Junior running back Austin Wondolowski capped the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run with 5:22 left. He had seven carries for 88 yards.
Holy Name improves to 6-5. They will take on #5 Padua in the Division III, Region 10 semifinal next weekend. The Bruins defeated Mansfield Senior, 13-10.
Norton brings an end to an outstanding season. They finished undefeated in the regular season for the first time since 1959, and captured their first Metro Conference crown.
“These seniors have been with us for four years, since we got here as a staff. They took everything in, embraced it, loved it, and did everything we asked them.” said Norton head coach Kevin Pollock. “We had a fun group of guys.”
