by Avon Lake, OH – On Friday night, the Avon Lake Shoremen hosted the Amherst Steele Comets at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium. The Shoremen came into the game looking to build off their success from last week, after beating the Midview Middies 48-7. The Amherst Comets came into the game looking to bounce back after a 53-0 loss against the Berea-Midpark Titans. The Shoremen came out on top 32-27. They were led by junior quarterback Alex Affolter, senior running back Jake Bova and senior wide receiver Derek McCrum.
The Amherst Comets did not waste any time getting into the endzone. Junior quarterback Cole Norris started the drive off by handing the ball off to junior running back J.R. Bires who carried the ball for 8 yards. Norris threw a laser to junior wide receiver Eli Solak for a 50-yard completion to move the Comets downfield. After the Comets were able to recover a fumble, Norris threw a 13-yard completion to senior wide receiver Jonathan Williams to put the Comets into the RedZone. Norris evaded the Shoremen’s defense as he ran into the endzone for a touchdown. Junior kicker Nathan Stewart came on and scored the extra point, making the score 7-0 with 9:10 left in the 1st quarter.
The Avon Lake Shoremen did not let the Comets quick start stop them. Junior quarterback Alex Affolter passed the ball off to sophomore wide receiver Aidan Stewart for a gain of 4 yards. Two 8-yard carries by senior running back Wade Nelson gave the Shoremen the 1st down. Affolter evaded the Comets defense as he carried the ball for 14 yards to secure another 1st down. Affolter threw a 10-yard completion to Stewart and then threw an 11-yard completion to senior wide receiver Carter Birk to secure back-to-back 1st downs again. Affolter handed the ball off to Nelson who weaved through the Comets defense and into the endzone for a 23-yard rushing touchdown. After a false start penalty on the Shoremen moved the kick back, junior kicker Reese Polomsky came on and missed the extra point, making the score 7-6 with 6:46 left in the 1st quarter.
The Comets got back to business after Norris threw a 10-yard completion to junior wide receiver Tristyn Young. Norris moved the Comets downfield with a 27-yard completion to senior running back Nick Costello to secure another 1st down for the Comets. After a 5-yard false start penalty on the Comets, Norris threw a 12-yd completion to Williams. The Comets momentum was stopped by an interception by junior defensive back Nathan Haven.
After back-to-back turnovers on downs from both sides, the Shoremen were able to get something going. Affolter passed the ball off to senior running back Jake Bova who carried the ball for 6-yards. Stewart secured the 1st down with a 5-yard carry. Affolter threw a laser to Carter Birk for a 36-yard completion, to put the Shoremen in the RedZone. Affolter passed the ball off to Bova who ran into the endzone, securing a 7-yard touchdown for the Shoremen. Polomsky came on and scored the extra point, putting the score at 13-7 with 10:02 left in the half.
After forcing the Comets to punt the ball, the Shoremen took to the field looking to add to their lead. Affolter handed the ball off to Nelson who evaded the Comets defense for an impressive 24-yard carry. Unfortunately, Nelson was injured on the play and did not return to the game. Affolter threw a 15-yard completion to Carter Birk to move the Shoremen downfield and secure another 1st down. Following a 12-yard completion to Bova, Affolter handed the ball off to senior wide receiver Derek McCrum who raced past the Comets defense and into the endzone for a 27-yard rushing touchdown. Polomsky’s extra point was good, putting the score at 20-7 with 4:06 left in the half.
Despite the Shoremens success, the Comets were able to bounce back. Sophomore David Dudziak could not be caught by the Shoremen defense as he raced downfield and to the Shoremen 26-yard line to return the punt. With great field position, Norris threw a 9-yard completion to Young. Norris then threw a pass to a wide open, senior wide receiver Jacob Kraft who was in the endzone, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown completion. Nathan Stewart came on and missed the extra point, putting the score at 20-13 with 42 seconds left in the half.
After a 3rd quarter full of defensive standoffs on both sides, the Comets struck first in the second half. Norris handed the ball off to junior running back Oliver Fekete who carried the ball for 11 yards, giving the Comets the 1st down. Norris threw a bullet pass to a wide open Eli Solak for a 58-yard touchdown. Stewart came on and secured the extra point, putting the score at 20-20 with 35 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
The Shoremen bounced back on their next drive and took the lead back. Affolter started the drive off with a 15-yard carry to secure the 1st down. Affolter threw a 28-yard completion to McCrum to move the Shoremen downfield into Comets territory. Affolter threw another completion to McCrum for 22-yards to put the Shoremen at 1st and goal. Affolter handed the ball off to Bova who ran through the Comets defense and into the endzone for a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The Comets were able to block Polomsky’s extra point, putting the score at 26-20 with 10 minutes left to play.
The Shoremen extended their lead late in the game. Affolter threw a 28-yard completion to senior wide receiver Tyler Birk to start off the drive. A 15 yard defensive pass interference on the Comets moved the Shoremen downfield and towards the endzone. Affolter passed the ball to Carter Birk who carried the ball for 5 yards. Affolter handed the ball off to McCrum who once again found himself in the endzone with an 8-yard rushing touchdown. The 2-point attempt was intercepted by the Comets, putting the score at 32-20 with 5 minutes left to play.
The Comets did not go down without a fight. Norris threw a 17-yard completion to Dudziak to secure the 1st down. Norris found a wide-open Kraft and threw an 18-yard completion to secure another 1st down. Down to their final set of downs, Norris threw a 20-yard completion to Kraft to keep themselves alive. After a costly 15-yard pass interference on the Shoremen, Norris threw a 9-yard touchdown completion to Williams. Stewart came on and kicked the extra point, making the score 32-27 with 34 seconds left to play.
This week’s player of the game was senior wide receiver Derek McCrum. McCrum boasted an impressive stat line of 2 rushes for 35 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, along with 3 receptions for 60-yards.
Next week, the Avon Lake Shoremen look to extend their winning streak as they host the Elyria Pioneers. The Amherst Comets look to bounce back next week as they host the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs.
