by Medina, Ohio – The Medina Battling Bees hosted the Wadsworth Grizzlies at Ken Dukes Stadium for a non-conference showdown. The Grizzlies went on to secure a 47-0 week three victory over the Battling Bees on the road.
Medina started off the game with the ball on their own 9-yard line. The drive was short-lived after the Grizzlies defense held strong and forced a punt. Wadsworth began their first drive on their own 35-yard line. The ground game was moving early as running back duo Gavin Madigan and Cooper Gray marched down the field. The Grizzlies reached the endzone first on a Gavin Madigan 36-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was blocked by the Battling Bees defense, resulting in Wadsworth being up 6-0 with 7:34 remaining in the first quarter. Medina started their next drive on their own 20-yard line. The Wadsworth defense sent a heavy blitz that resulted in an interception thrown by a Medina wide receiver, setting the Grizzlies offense up on the Medina 40-yard line. Wadsworth took advantage of the turnover and moved the ball into the redzone. Running back Cooper Gray punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown to add to the score. The Grizzlies went for a two-point conversion and were held just short on the goal line to make it a 12-0 Wadsworth lead with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Medina, hoping to figure out the Wadsworth defense, started their next drive on their own 22-yard line. The Battling Bees offense continued their struggles after defender Jacob Earnest snatched the ball out of the air and took it to the house for a 55-yard pick-six touchdown return. Wadsworth made the extra point and held a 19-0 lead with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter. The Battling Bees offense set up their next drive on their own 22-yard line. Medina tried the short game with rushes and checkdown passes, resulting in Medina finally getting into Wadsworth territory. The Grizzlies defense held strong as soon as Medina passed mid-field, resulting in a turnover on downs and setting up their next drive on their own 46-yard line. With the ground game working, Wadsworth decided to test the air game out, which resulted in a Calix Lemp 43-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Brysen Hall to give the Grizzlies a 26-0 lead with 0:53 remaining in the first quarter. Medina started their next drive on their 8-yard line, taking their drive into the second quarter down 26-0.
The Battling Bees hoped to start the second quarter off with a score to shift momentum. Unfortunately, there was a fumble by the Medina quarterback that ended up setting Wadsworth up on the Battling Bees’ 25-yard line. The Grizzlies offense capitalized on the mistake with a Gavin Madigan 11-yard rushing touchdown to give Wadsworth a 33-0 lead with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter. Medina started their next drive off on their own 24-yard line. The Wadsworth defense yet again held firm and forced a Medina punt, setting the Grizzlies offense up on their own 35-yard line. Wadsworth finally had a mistake on offense after a pass was deflected into a defender’s hands, resulting in an interception and setting the Battling Bees up on Wadworth’s 38-yard line. Medina decided to take a shot at the endzone and alternated an interception pass on their drive, setting the Grizzlies offense up on their own 9-yard line. Wadsworth took a lot of clock off this drive by methodically running and passing the ball. Grizzlies running back Cooper Gray took off for a 31-yard rushing touchdown to give Wadsworth a 40-0 lead with 2:20 remaining in the first half. Medina started their next drive on their own 40-yard line. The Battling Bees were trying to have a clean drive but the Wadsworth defense once again forced an interception and took it to Medina’s 19-yard line. The Grizzlies offense ran three plays before getting stuffed at the goal line to end the half going into the locker rooms up 40-0 on the road.
To start the second half, the game clock was set to be a running clock, meaning that the clock is not to be stopped after a team is up by 30+ points. Wadsworth began their first drive on their own 32-yard line, looking to keep the momentum on their side. The Grizzlies offense continued to mix the run and pass game, marching into Medina territory. Wadsworth capitalized on this drive from a 40-yard reception touchdown caught by wide receiver Jay’len King, giving the Grizzlies a 47-0 lead with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter. Medina began their first drive of the second half on their 35-yard line. The Battling Bees were yet again met by the unwavering force of the Wadsworth defense. Medina was forced to punt, setting the Grizzlies offense up on their 29-yard line. Wadsworth had the possession of the ball for the remainder of the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies offense continued to use the game clock on their lengthy drive. Medina’s defense held Wadsworth to a turnover on downs, resulting in starting their next drive on their own 27-yard line. The Battling Bees continued to struggle moving the ball with a very present and determined Wadsworth defense. Medina ended up punting after a promising drive was cut short. Wadsworth started their final drive on Medina’s 40-yard line. The Grizzlies offense melted the remainder of the clock, taking a massive 47-0 victory early in the young season.
Next Week
The Wadsworth Grizzlies (3-0) look to stay hot as they travel to Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium to take on the North Royalton Bears; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 12th.
The Medina Battling Bees (1-2) look to rebound from a tough loss as they host conference rivals Shaker Heights Red Raiders at Ken Dukes Stadium; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 12th.
Player of the Game:
Cooper Gray (RB)- Wadsworth: 12 rush attempts, 109 rush yards, 2 TD
Top Performers
Wadsworth Grizzlies
Calix Lemp: 7 receptions, 104 receiving yards, 1 TD
Gavin Madigan: 10 rush attempts, 91 rush yards, 2 TD
Cooper Gray: 12 rush attempts, 109 rush yards, 2 TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Wadsworth 7:34 – Gavin Madigan, 36-yard run (kick blocked/ no good) (6-0 Wadsworth)
Wadsworth 5:44 – Cooper Gray, 3-yard run (2-pt no good) (12-0 Wadsworth)
Wadsworth 4:24 – Jacob Earnest, 55-yard pick-6 return touchdown (kick good) (19-0 Wadsworth)
Wadsworth 0:53 – Brysen Hall to Calix Lemp, 43 yards (kick good) (26-0 Wadsworth)
2nd Quarter
Wadsworth 10:26 – Gavin Madigan, 11-yard run (kick good) (33-0 Wadsworth)
Wadsworth 2:20 – Cooper Gray, 31-yard run (kick good) (40-0 Wadsworth)
3rd Quarter
Wadsworth 6:31 – Brysen Hall to Jay’len King, 40 yards (kick good) (47-0 Wadsworth)
4th Quarter
No Score Changes (47-0 Wadsworth)
Re-watch the KEE On Sports Game of the Week here: Medina Vs. Wadsworth
