Olmsted Falls Wins An Overtime Thriller Over Avon Lake, 43-37

Avon Lake, OH – On Friday night, the Avon Lake Shoremen hosted the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium. The Shoremen came into the game looking to extend their winning streak to 5 games. The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs came into the game looking to keep their momentum going following a commanding win over the Amherst Steele Comets. The Bulldogs returned late in the game and pulled off the win with a score of 43-37.

The Avon Lake Shoremen got to work quickly. Senior quarterback Alex Affolter started the game with a 9-yard completion to senior wide receiver Luke Stuewe. Affolter handed the ball off to senior running back Alex Kowalski, who picked up a 6-yard carry to give the Shoremen the 1st down. Affolter handed the ball off to Stuewe, who carried the ball 16 yards to move the Shoremen downfield and secure another 1st down. Following a 5-yard encroachment penalty on the Bulldogs, Affolter handed the ball off to Kowalski, who broke loose and rushed for 37 yards, putting the Shoremen at 1st and goal. The Bulldogs’ defense could not stop Kowalski as he ran into the endzone for a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Senior kicker Reece Polomsky made the extra point, putting the score at 7-0 with 9:24 left in the 1st quarter.

The Shoremen found themselves back in the endzone after forcing the Bulldogs to a quick 3-and-out. Following a series of small carries by Kowalski, Affolter handed the ball off to junior wide receiver Aidan Stewart, who evaded the Bulldogs and raced into the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown. Polomsky kicked the extra point, scoring 14-0 with 6:36 left in the 1st quarter.

The Bulldogs did not stay down for long. Senior quarterback Jimmy Rosol led his offense into the endzone. Rosol handed the ball off to junior running back Owen Singleton, who carried the ball for 7 yards. Rosol saw a hole in the defense, took off, and had the ball for a 25-yard gain. The Shoremen could not stop Rosol as he raced up the middle and downfield for a 43-yard gain to put the Bulldogs at 1st and goal. Rosol handed the ball off to junior running back Logan Celaschi, who rushed into the endzone for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Senior kicker Callen Kaufman scored the extra point, scoring 14-7 with 4:18 left in the 1st quarter.

Affolter came on and led his offense back into the endzone. He handed the ball off to junior running back Ezra Jones, who carried the ball for 58 yards to open up the drive. A series of short runs by Kowalski and junior running back Nathan Haven got the Shoremen into 1st and goal. Affolter handed the ball off to Kowalski, who rushed into the endzone for a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Polomsky kicked the extra point, making the score 21-7 with 2:12 left in the 1st quarter.

The Bulldogs were able to put some more points on the board despite a costly penalty. Connelly rushed for a 38-yard gain that was unfortunately negated by a 10-yard holding penalty on the Bulldogs. Rosol handed the ball off to Singleton, who carried it for a 36-yard gain. Rosol carried the ball for 10 yards to pick up another 1st down and move the Bulldogs downfield. A face mask penalty on the Shoremen moved the Bulldogs half the distance from the goal and a 1st down. A false start penalty on the Bulldogs negated a rushing touchdown. The Shoremen’s defense forced the Bulldogs to settle on a 25-yard field goal attempt. Kaufman made the 25-yard field goal, putting the score at 21-10 with 7:21 left in the half.

The Shoremen and Bulldogs’ defenses both forced punts on the next drives. Nathan Haven blocked the Bulldogs’ punt, and Stewart recovered the ball and raced into the endzone for a 29-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs blocked Polomsky’s extra point, putting the score at 27-10 with 2:01 left in the half.

The Bulldogs started the second half with the ball. A series of short runs by Connelly and Singleton moved the Bulldogs downfield and picked up multiple 1st downs. Rosol handed the ball off to Singleton, who picked up a 26-yard carry to secure another Bulldogs’ 1st down. Rosol threw a 14-yard completion to Connelly to pick up another 1st down. A 5-yard encroachment penalty on the Shoremen moved the Bulldogs closer to the endzone. An 8-yard holding penalty on the Bulldogs negated a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Rosol. The Shoremen’s defense forced the Bulldogs to settle for another field goal. Kaufman came on and kicked the 31-yard field goal, making the score 27-20 with 6:41 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Shoremen came on and added to their lead. Affolter handed the ball off to Kowalski for a 7-yard gain. Affolter found an open senior wide receiver, Devin Dew for a 6-yard completion to secure the 1st down for the Shoremen. Affolter handed the ball off to Kowalski, who gained an 8-yard gain. Affolter handed the ball off to Jones, who had a vast 12-yard carry to move the Shoremen past midfield. The Bulldogs’ defense could not stop Kowalski. He picked up a 14-yard carry to secure the 1st down and followed that with an 11-yard carry to put the Shoremen at 1st and goal. The Bulldogs’ defense forced the Shoremen to settle for a 24-yard field goal attempt. Polomsky came on and made the field goal, making the score 30-20 with 16 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

Rosol and the Bulldogs stormed back to make a late-game comeback. Connelly put the Bulldogs into the RedZone with a 42-yard carry. With the Bulldogs’ offense threatening, the Shoremen’s defense helped the Bulldogs to a field goal. Kaufman came on and scored a 19-yard field goal, remaining perfect. The Bulldogs trailed 30-23 with 4:33 left in the game.

The Bulldogs’ defense forced the Shoremen to a quick 3-and-out to put the ball back in the Bulldogs’ possession. Rosol marched his offense downfield. He handed the ball to Connelly, who picked up a 15-yard carry. Singleton carried the ball for 26 yards to secure the 1st down for the Bulldogs and put them in the RedZone. With the clock running down, Rosol converted the 3rd down with a 9-yard completion to senior wide receiver Brendan Hearns. Connelly had a crucial 3-yard gain to put the Bulldogs outside the endzone. Rosol handed the ball off to Singleton, who rushed into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Kaufman came on and scored the extra point, tying the game at 30-30 with 17 seconds left in the game, sending the game into overtime.

The Avon Lake Shoremen won the coin toss. The Bulldogs started with the ball. Rosol kept the ball and carried it for 10 yards for the 1st down. He followed that with a 7-yard carry to put the Bulldogs just yards away from the endzone. Rosol handed the ball off to Singleton, who rushed into the endzone with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Kaufman scored the extra point, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the night with a score of 37-30.

The Shoremen had a chance to answer back and stay alive. Affolter handed the ball off to Kowalski, who carried the ball for 8 yards. Affolter kept the ball and picked up the 1st down with a 4-yard completion. With the game on the line, Affolter found a wide-open Aidan Stewart in the endzone and threw him an 8-yard touchdown completion. Polomsky nailed the point after attempt, knotting the game at 37-37.

The Shoremen opened the second overtime period but failed to convert on 4th down and reach the endzone. The Bulldogs capitalized on this opportunity. Rosol kept the ball and picked up a 7-yard carry. Singleton secured the 1st down with a 3-yard gain, putting the Bulldogs at 1st and goal. Rosol found a wide-open gap and raced into the endzone, securing the win for the Bulldogs with a score of 43-37.

This week’s player of the game was senior quarterback Jimmy Rosol of the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs. He was a crucial piece in the Bulldogs’ victory, completing 8 of his 14 passing attempts for 96 yards and a touchdown while rushing 21 times for 187 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

Next week, the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs look to keep their win streak alive as they host the Berea-Midpark Titans. The Avon Lake Shoremen look to bounce back as they travel to North Ridgeville to take on the Rangers.