OLMSTED FALLS — After last year’s overtime thriller, the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs once again got the better of the Strongsville Mustangs, this time pulling away for a 38-21 victory Friday night at Vitamix Field at Charles A. Harding Memorial Stadium.

The Bulldogs improved  2-1, while Strongsville dropped to 1-2.

Olmsted Falls jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Strongsville answered with three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-20 advantage into halftime. The Bulldogs, however, shut out the Mustangs in the second half and scored 18 unanswered points to secure the win.

Olmsted Falls quarterback #16 Cameron Pesch was the difference-maker, accounting for four total touchdowns in the win. Pesch finished 9-of-12 passing for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding 108 rushing yards on 16 carries with three rushing touchdowns.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring with 6:38 remaining in the first quarter. On third-and-six from the Strongsville 27, Pesch found #14 Keagan Smith on a hitch route near the sideline. Smith broke the first tackle and raced down the sideline diving for the pylon for a 27-yard touchdown, giving Olmsted Falls a 7-0 lead.

Pesch added a 4-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to make it 14-0.

Strongsville responded with its biggest offensive play of the night when quarterback #18 Jack Kasner escaped a sack and found #86 Jackson Sizler wide open downfield. Sizler raced to the Olmsted Falls 9-yard line, setting up Kasner’s 9-yard touchdown pass to #80 Nick LaBahn on the following play with 7:02 left in the half.

The next possession, the Mustangs then tied the game at 14 when #14 Will Tilocco jumped a hitch route and returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown.

Olmsted Falls regained the lead late in the half when #2 Aidan O’Malley scored on a 13-yard jet sweep with 1:22 remaining. A bad snap prevented the extra point, leaving the Bulldogs ahead 20-14.

Strongsville answered immediately. #1 Nathan Rodak returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards untouched up the right sideline for a touchdown, putting the Mustangs ahead 21-20 going into halftime.

The second half belonged entirely to Olmsted Falls.

The Bulldogs started the half with a 3 and out but were able to recover the punt went a Strongsville player touched the ball. The Bulldogs took over at the 50 where Pesch broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run with 8:03 remaining in the third quarter. Pesch initially rolled out left to throw before reversing field and racing down the right sideline for the score, putting Olmsted Falls ahead 27-21.

The Bulldogs’ defense continued to create opportunities. On third-and-eight from the Strongsville 38, linebacker #13 Drew Uber recorded a sack and forced fumble, which was recovered by #29 Adam Smith at the Strongsville 21. #39 Dillon Young converted a 21-yard field goal with 4:34 remaining in the quarter to extend the lead to 30-21.

Before the end of the third, Pesch connected with #2 O’Malley for a 47-yard gain on third-and-four, setting up the Bulldogs for another score.

Pesch finished the scoring with 10:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, breaking through for a 28-yard touchdown run on third-and-15. He made several defenders miss on the way to the end zone. The Bulldogs added a successful two-point conversion from Pesch to tight end #8 Mason Cerovac, making it 38-21.

Strongsville was held scoreless throughout the second half as Olmsted Falls controlled the clock and closed out the victory.

#21 Owen Radigan finished the game with 22 carries for 96 yards; #34 Elvis Richard closed the game with 13 carries for 40 yards. #2 Aidan O’Malley had a very solid game with 3 carries for 15 yards and a TD, to go along with 3 receptions for 78 yards. #14 Keegan Smith contributed with 3 catches for 57 yards and a TD.

Players of the Game

Olmsted Falls — Cameron Pesch, QB #16

Pesch accounted for four total touchdowns and was the driving force behind the Bulldogs’ second-half surge.

Passing: 9-of-12, 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: 16 carries, 108 yards, 3 TDs
Total offense: 262 yards
Total TDs: 4

Strongsville — Jack Kasner, QB #18

Kasner provided Strongsville with several key plays despite the Mustangs being held scoreless after halftime.

Passing: 8-of-15, 92 yards, 1 TD
Total TDs: 1