by PARMA, OH – The Medina Bee’s remarkable postseason run continued today with a powerful 33-26 victory over the St. Ignatius Wildcats. Their high-octane offense scored at will as Junior quarterback Drew Allar went off for 498 yards on 25 of 46 passing with 4 touchdowns.
Once again, his top threat was Luke Hensley who brought in 10 catches for 198 yards, scoring twice. Hensley was far from his only threat though, as everyone had a big game in the receiving corps. Michael Rodak caught 5 passes for 121 yards, scoring once.
Matt Rudolph yanked down 3 passes for 41 yards. Jajuan Jackson chipped in with 2 catches for 68 yards. Drew Hensley had 52 yards on 3 catches while scoring once. They would use the legs of Dorian Boyland to once again salt it away late, as Boyland had 84 yards on 13 carries.
Joe Pfaff nearly led a remarkable comeback that would have be spoken about for ages. After star tailback Marty Lenehan went down with injury, he had to step it up even more. Pfaff finished with 363 yards on 25 of 43 passing in the shootout. He finished with 41 yards on 4 carries with a touchdown as well.
His main threat was Nick Lamirand with 122 yards receiving as he pulled in 10 catches and led the second half wild comeback. Lamirand had the touchdown late that made it a five-point game. John Becker also had a nice night with 5 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Bodamer finished his big postseason with 6 catches for 102 yards.
After forcing the Bee’s to punt on their first drive of the game, the Wildcats wasted no time striking for six. Joe Pfaff had little issue finding a wide-open John Becker deep down field for a 62-yard bomb touchdown on just their third play from scrimmage. No one was within 5 yards of Becker who slid wide open to make it 7-0 St. Ignatius less than 3 minutes into the game.
Medina was unfazed and didn’t let the quick score rattle them. They came out and on their first play of the next drive launched a 58-yard pass from Allar to Michael Rodak to put them in the redzone. They got all the way to the goal line after some powerful Dorian Boyland runs. However, the drive would fold after a very questionable false start call. It would backup the eventual field goal that was missed, keeping the score 7-0 St. Ignatius.
A few minutes later after starting in good field position, the Bee’s had the ball back and went to work. It was the combination that few teams can stop, as once again Drew Allar started to find Luke Hensley at will. Back to back passes from Allar to Hensley of 25 then 36 yards with the later finding paydirt. The form that has made them famous tied it up at 7 a piece with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
After a 3 and out, the Bee’s got the ball back and went to work again in the air. The drive started with a 45-yard launch from Allar to Schramm to put them back in the redzone. Moments later, yet again it was Allar throwing a jump ball to Luke Hensely in which Luke jumped like a gazelle to go up and get for the touchdown in the corner of the endzone. Simply unreal!
After a 25 yard field goal by Ryan Miller following a Joe Pfaff interception made it 17-7 Bee’s, the Wildcats started to make their move midway through the second half. Without start running back Marty Lenehan in the game, they turned to the short passing game and it worked as they marched down the field. It would eventually pay off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Becker. The ensuing extra point was blocked, and it was now 17-13.
Once again, the Bee’s didn’t blink and went right back to work. It didn’t take long for the long ball to sting the Wildcats again. This time it was a 33-yard launch to Drew Hensley touchdown strike only one play after Allar had missed a wide-open Luke Hensely. He made up for it quickly as Drew made a remarkable catch to keep his feet in the endzone. Just like that, it was Medina 24-13.
The Bee’s weren’t done and tacked on one more touchdown toss before the half was over. This time it was at the hands of Michael Rodak from 18 yards out to make it 31- 13 at the half. In the first half alone, it was Drew Allar going 21 of 36 for 429 yards passing. Luke Hensley had 9 catches for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half alone.
The Wildcats put together a nice drive to open the second half, but came up short and had to give the ball back to the Bee’s without any points.
The Bee’s responded with a five-minute drive, but missed their second field goal of the game from pretty much the exact spot they missed the first one. St. Ignatius missed a field goal from that spot as well earlier in the game. Parmatown mall was not nice to the kickers today.
The Wildcats attempted a comeback on the legs of Pfaff and backup tailback Ryan Waldron to start the fourth quarter. The run attack worked as it would result in a spinning 13-yard touchdown rumble by Pfaff to cut the score to 31-19.
They attempted a two-point conversion and missed it.
The comeback would continue on their next drive as Pfaff found Lamirand time and time again on third down to lead an 80 plus yard drive. Sure enough it was Lamirand getting the touchdown pass and cutting the lead to 31-26 with 4:51 to go.
The thrilling comeback wouldn’t get any closer however, as a late safety sealed the victory for Medina. The Bee’s will now travel to Mentor next weekend.
Players of the game
Medina QB Drew Allar: 498 yards on 25 of 46 passing with 4 touchdowns.
St. Ignatius TE Nick Lamirand: 10 catches for 122 yards and a TD
Awesome summary Vince — felt like I watched the game.