by Granger Township, OH: While the offense has garnered headlines through the first three weeks, the defense led the way this time in the Hornets’ (4-0) 41-7 victory over Aurora (1-3). In a dominating first half, Highland’s defense only allowed three positive plays while the offense scored touchdowns on each of its four possessions. Quarterback Grady Gibb was perfect through the air, going 7-7 for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Casey Myser added 74 yards and two scores on the ground.
First Half
The Greenmen received the opening kickoff, but did not have the ball long, turning it over on downs after losing seven yards. The Hornets began their first possession on the Aurora 47 and covered the yardage in ten plays, getting on the board thanks to a one-yard plunge by Gibb to make it 7-0 Highland.
On the very next play, Nick Dobkowski intercepted the ball and gave his team amazing field position at the Aurora 43. A completion from Gibb to Lucas Gerding moved them into the red zone, and Myser finished off the drive with a big stiff arm on a seven-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 14-0 after one quarter.
Following another turnover on downs, Highland once again began their drive with great field position, this time at the 50. After a 14-yard run from Myser on the first play, Gibb floated a pass over two defenders into the hands of Jake Weber for a 36-yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 21-0 Hornets less than a minute into the second quarter.
Aurora’s offense would finally find a little momentum as they were able to move the ball 24 yards before being forced to punt for the third time. Backed up on their own 14, Highland put together a long-productive drive that ended 15 plays later on a four-yard run up the middle by Myser, his second of the game that increased the margin to 28-0 at the half.
Second Half
After a long drive to end the half, the Hornets fired up their big play offense and scored on the second play of the third, a 63-yard pass from Gibb to Dobkowski to put the Hornets up 35-0 and initiate the running clock.
Midway through the third with their backups in the game, Highland began their second drive of the half near midfield. Facing a third and ten deep inside Greenmen territory, Jonathan Brucha hooked up with Ben Madigan for an 11-yard touchdown. After a missed extra point Highland led 41-0.
Opening up the fourth quarter with the ball on their own 20, Aurora kept fighting. a 28-yard completion from Marc McGovern to Drew Scott moved the ball across midfield and, six plays later, McGovern found Scott again for an 11-yard touchdown. After the extra point sailed through the uprights, the Greenmen trailed the Hornets 41-7.
The starters would re-enter the game for Highland for two more plays, both kneel downs that drained the remaining time off the clock and sealing a 41-7 win for the Hornets.
Keys to the Game
Highland’s offense put together another impressive performance, but this week the defense made the headlines. In the first half, Aurora managed just nine yards of offense against the tough Hornets’ defense. The Greenmen found a little more success in the second half, against backups, but still only managed 85 yards on the night.
Offensively, quarterback Grady Gibb put up another dominant performance, going a perfect 7-7 for 155 yards and two scores, adding another 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Casey Myser did what was needed for Highland, racking up 74 yards and two scores on the ground to go with a 10-yard reception.
Next Week
The Greenmen will look to bounce back next Friday night when they host the Revere Minutemen (3-0). Revere took down Kent Roosevelt on the road 28-16 in Week 4.
Highland looks to keep its perfect season intact next Friday night when they travel to Copley to take on the Indians (3-1). Copley put a running clock on Tallmadge in their 49-7 Week 4 victory.
Top Performers
Aurora Greenmen
Drew Scott: 2 catches 38 yards TD
Highland Hornets
Grady Gibb: 7-7 155 yards 2 TD 11 carries 59 yards TD
Casey Myser: 13 carries 74 yards 2 TD 1 catch 10 yards
Nick Dobkowski: 3 catches 81 yards TD INT
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Highland 4:05- Grady Gibb, 1-yard run (kick good)
Highland 2:09- Casey Myser, 7-yard run (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Highland 11:15- Grady Gibb to Jake Weber, 36 yards (kick good)
Highland 0:18- Casey Myser, 4-yard run (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Highland 10:15- Grady Gibb to Nick Dobkowski, 63 yards (kick good)
Highland 0:33- Jonathan Brucha to Ben Radigan, 11 yards (kick no good)
4th Quarter
Aurora 1:50- Marc McGovern to Drew Scott, 10 yards (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Aurora | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Highland | 14 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 41 |
