by Cover photo credit Anna Haberstro
Berea, OH – Live from the campus of Baldwin Wallace at George Finnie Stadium on Tressel Field, The Mustangs invaded Berea to take on the Berea-Midpark Titans. The Titans received some huge performances tonight from several players as they wrapped up their first win 41-7.
Danny Bowser saw his first start of the season for the Titans and passed for 172 yards on 11 of 20 passing with two touchdowns passing, 1 interception and also 2 touchdowns on the ground for the junior signal caller.
His biggest threats were Austin Clay, who caught 5 balls for 110 yards while scoring once in the air. Clay also had an interception on defense, a punt return for a touchdown, and a pick six that was only called back because of roughing the passer. Clay was everywhere as he amassed nearly 300 total yards tonight with receptions and punt returns combined, while scoring twice.
Devyn Zahursky also had a monster night as he scored several different ways. The Cincinnati commit had a touchdown catch, a touchdown run, and caught a two-point conversion. He also spent a considerable amount of time in the Mustang backfield, while forcing and falling on fumbles along the way.
Noah Silva carried the majority of the handoffs for Berea-Midpark, as he finished with 62 yards on 14 carries. Silva also caught 2 balls for 14 total yards.
For Strongsville, it was a rough night as an early injury to starting quarterback Nolan Beard caused issues. Backup quarterback Harsh Patel played well however, finishing with 59 yards and a touchdown, but also an interception.
Bowser led the Titans on a nice opening drive. It was going great until James Swasey picked off a pass at the 22-yard line of the Mustangs to halt the drive. Bowser was a quick 3 for 3 until that occurred. The Mustangs couldn’t do anything with the momentum and had to punt. The punt was received by Austin Clay who broke about a 50-yard return until he got stripped of the ball at the Mustang 19. The Titans turned it over twice in the first 5 minutes of the game.
A few plays later, it was the Mustangs getting hit by the turnover bug when Noah Silva intercepted a Nolan Beard pass at midfield. A few moments after the drive started, Bowser hit Zahursky on a slant that he took to the house from 35 yards out as he jetted past Mustang would be tacklers. A two-point conversion was good, and the Titans held an 8-0 lead with 4:02 left. The quarter ended by the same score.
Early into the second quarter, Austin Clay took a punt 61 yards, all the way down to the Strongsville 3-yard line. The Titans wasted no time in scoring, a direct snap to Devyn Zahursky who lined up at quarterback who took it right in for a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point was clean and clear, and it was 15-0 Titans with 9:36 to play. In a little under a quarter and a half, Zahursky had a touchdown catch, touchdown run, and 2-point conversion catch as well.
The Austin Clay return show continued midway through the second quarter as Austin Clay took a line drive punt, 65 yards for a touchdown. This latest Clay strike, broke the score wide open at 21-0 with 5:03 remaining in the second quarter.
The Mustangs got on the score board at the end of the first half as Harsh Patel led Strongsville on a 70 yard plus drive, capping it off with a three-yard touchdown toss to Logan Brown. Vincent Roncone nailed the extra point and moved the score to 21-7 at the break.
The big night for Devyn Zahursky continued to start the second half as he jumped on a Mustang fumble. This gave the ball to the Titans inside Mustang territory. A few plays later, the Titans made it count with a Bowser 10-yard touchdown scramble, increasing the lead to 27-7 early into the third.
After an Ausitn Clay pick six was called back because of a roughing the passer penalty, he grabbed another interception later in the drive to halt the Mustang attack midway through the third quarter. It was Clay again on the ensuing drive, with a 41-yard touchdown catch from Bowser. This made it 34-7 Berea-Midpark with 3:56 to go in the third quarter.
Early into the fourth, the Titans forced a running clock with a Bowser 13-yard touchdown run, his second of the night as the Titans held a 41-7 lead, one play into the fourth quarter.
Players of the game
Berea-Midpark
QB Danny Bowser with 2 touchdown passes, 2 touchdown runs, and 172 yards passing.
Austin Clay, with an interception, a punt return touchdown, and 5 catches for 110 yards with a touchdown.
Devyn Zahursky with a touchdown rushing, a touchdown receiving, a two-point conversion, and a fumble recovery.
Strongsville
PK Roncone with 1 of 1 kicking XP’s
Swasey with an interception
