by CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH – For the second week in a row, the Cleveland Heights Tigers (4-5, 4-2 GCC) proved that no deficit is too steep. Down 14-0 early and playing without their dual-threat star quarterback LaMarques Greenwood in the first half, Heights clawed back to shock the Brunswick Blue Devils (5-4, 4-2 GCC) 24-21 on Friday night. The victory marks Heights’ third straight win and fourth in their last five, vaulting them into prime playoff position with just one week left in the regular season.
Blue Devils Strike Early
Brunswick wasted no time putting Heights on its heels. Junior linebacker Drew Dempsey jumped a pass and returned it to the house for a pick-six off Tigers senior QB Asher Wilson, who was filling in for Greenwood. The interception was Wilson’s seventh of the season, and it gave the Devils an early 7-0 lead.
A botched punt snap on Heights’ next possession gave Brunswick the ball at the Tigers’ 20-yard line. But Heights’ defense — led by senior nose tackle Marvin Leeks, who stacked three consecutive runs — forced a turnover on downs to keep the deficit at one score.
The Devils regrouped on their next drive, though, as senior running back Eli Nichols powered his way into the end zone from six yards out to double the lead to 14-0.
Harris Sparks the Tigers
Cleveland Heights finally answered behind the legs of sophomore running back Elijah Harris, who ripped off three straight runs of 15 yards or more to ignite the Tigers offense. That set up fellow sophomore John Morris to punch it in from the one-yard line for Heights’ first points of the night.
Momentum swung further when Heights forced a quick three-and-out. But Wilson’s second interception of the game — this one snagged by Brunswick senior defensive back Cohen Easa — stalled the rally and sent Heights into halftime trailing 14-6.
Superman Returns
The game shifted dramatically at the start of the second half when Greenwood, who had spent the entire first half on the sidelines in street clothes, jogged out in full pads.
Even with the spark, Brunswick extended its lead to 21-6 on a 15-yard touchdown run. But Heights’ defense once again dug in, this time thanks to senior edge rusher Deon Solomon. His relentless pressure forced another turnover on downs and opened the door for Greenwood to go to work.
The junior QB delivered immediately, breaking loose for a 32-yard run before hitting junior receiver Jariah Morgan on a key gain. Greenwood then dropped a perfect 30-yard strike to senior receiver/defensive back Henry Perrymond, who Moss’d his defender in highlight-reel fashion for a touchdown. The score cut the Brunswick lead to 21-12 heading into the fourth quarter.
Defense and Destiny
With the Tigers defense controlling the trenches, Solomon and Leeks stuffed Nichols and sacked Barnett to force another punt. Greenwood made Brunswick pay, spinning through defenders on a Lamar Jackson–style 20-yard touchdown scamper to bring Heights within three.
Then came the play of the night. With Brunswick trying to burn clock, junior linebacker Khalil Al-Amin ripped the ball straight from Nichols’ arms and sprinted 10 yards into the end zone. The defensive touchdown gave Heights its first lead of the night, 24-21.
Perrymond sealed the win moments later with an interception of Barnett, capping Heights’ improbable comeback and sending the home sideline into a frenzy.
Postgame Reactions
Head Coach Bryce Jones praised his defense for setting the tone in the second half.
“Defensively it was about continuing to play with great energy and dominating the line of scrimmage, and I think in the second half we did a great job doing that,” Jones said.
On the team’s growth since an 0-4 start, Jones pointed to belief.
“This win shows our players’ belief in each other. They understood that we are never out of a game, and that as long as there’s still time on the clock, we have a chance.”
Greenwood, who finished with two second-half touchdowns (one passing, one rushing), emphasized the team’s steady approach as the playoffs near.
“I just constantly preach that we can’t get too high or too low. We know how our season started, and now we’re starting to pick it up. Football is about ups and downs, and we have to keep the momentum going.”
What’s Next
Cleveland Heights (4-5, 4-2 GCC) closes out the regular season next week against rival Shaker Heights (1-8, 0-6 GCC) in the “Battle of Lee Road.” With momentum on their side, the Tigers now control their own destiny to host a Division I playoff game for the first time since 2023.
Key Performers – Kee-On Players of the Game
- SR DE Deon Solomon – 4 QB Pressures, 2 Sacks, 2 TFLs
- JR QB LaMarques Greenwood – 2 total second half TDs (1 pass, 1 rush)
- JR LB Khalil Al-Amin – 2 TFLs, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Defensive TD
- SR WR/DB Henry Perrymond – 5 Catches, 95 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
