by Per VNN
On a hot summer night, the North Royalton Bears battled against the Highland Hornets but ultimately fell 50-20, marking their second loss of the season. Despite some flashes of offensive brilliance, the Bears struggled to contain Highland’s explosive plays, leading to a tough defeat.
1st Quarter:
The game started with Highland making a statement on the opening drive.#3 Lucas Gerig took a screen pass 55 yards to the house, breaking through the Bears’ defense for an early touchdown. The extra point was good, giving the Hornets a 7-0 lead.
The Bears responded quickly, starting from their own 36-yard line. Cam Saul #25 broke free for a 13-yard gain, and on 3rd-and-5, quarterback Joe Kinney #3 connected with Nin Piazza #7 on a 45-yard pass that brought the Bears to the Highland 5-yard line. Kinney then found Piazza again for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good #99 Sasha Sunjevaric , tying the game at 7-7 with 7:35 left in the first quarter.
North Royalton shocked everyone with a successful onside kick, recovered by Sasha (#99). However, the Bears’ drive stalled after a three-and-out, forcing them to punt. Highland took over deep in their own territory but managed to orchestrate a long 89-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run from #12 Casey Misner. The extra point was good, putting Highland up 14-7 with just 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Bears’ next drive went three-and-out, and the first quarter ended with the Hornets leading 14-7.
2nd Quarter:
Highland started the second quarter with favorable field position at their own 36-yard line. They quickly extended their lead with a 28-yard touchdown pass to #4. The extra point was good, making it 21-7 with 9:10 left in the second quarter.
The Bears, now trailing by 14, began their drive on the 20-yard line. Strong runs by Saul and #20 Mannix Wasco led to a quick first down, and Kinney then launched a 32-yard pass to Piazza, bringing the Bears to the Highland 5-yard line. Kinney completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to #88 Joey Calarco to cut the deficit, but the extra point attempt failed, making the score 21-13.
However, Highland responded immediately with a 69-yard touchdown pass on blown coverage by the Bears. The extra point was good, extending the lead to 28-13 with 3:37 left in the half. The Bears’ ensuing drive stalled quickly, forcing another punt. Highland capitalized on the short field, scoring again on a handoff to Misner who ran it in from the 36-yard line, sending the game into halftime with the Hornets up 35-13.
Halftime Score: Highland Hornets 35, North Royalton Bears 13.
3rd Quarter:
The Bears opened the second half with a solid start. On 3rd-and-5 from their own 20-yard line, Kinney hit Piazza for a spectacular one-handed 18-yard catch, moving the chains. However, the drive stalled once more, forcing another punt. North Royalton’s defense finally made a stop, halting Highland on their own 12-yard line and taking over on their own 44.
The Bears then mounted an impressive drive, highlighted by a long pass from Kinney to Wasco that brought them down to the 2-yard line. A personal foul pushed them back to the 17, but Kinney found Joey Nick Safranek (#9) for a 17-yard touchdown pass on the next play. The extra point was good, narrowing the deficit to 35-20 with 4:58 left in the third quarter.
Highland, however, had another quick answer. Starting on their own 16-yard line, Misner broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, pushing the lead to 42-20. The Bears’ next drive saw them gain one first down but fall short on a 4th down attempt, giving Highland the ball on the Bears’ 32-yard line. The third quarter ended with Highland leading 42-20.
4th Quarter:
The Hornets continued their dominance into the fourth quarter, driving down to the Bears’ 11-yard line as the quarter began. Misner scored once more from 11 yards out, and Highland converted a two-point attempt to trigger a running clock with a commanding 50-20 lead.
The Bears’ defense had no answer for Highland’s relentless offense, and despite the efforts of Kinney, Piazza, and the rest of the offense, the Bears could not mount a comeback. The game ended with Highland firmly in control.
Final Score: Highland Hornets 50, North Royalton Bears 20.
