by Canton, OH: The GlenOak Golden Eagles (1-2) got their first win of the season with a 20-6 triumph over Cleveland Heights (0-3). LeLand Snell Jr. carried the load for the Eagles, finishing with 77 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Wide receiver Caydren Saunders impressed as well, racking up 71 yards on a game-high eight catches. Jaden McDonald made this most of his limited touches for the Tigers, finishing with 122 yards and a touchdown on ten touches.
First Half
GlenOak received the opening kickoff, and was able to move the ball across midfield in short order. The drive stalled out and the Eagles were forced to punt, but the ball bounced off the returner and GlenOak recovered at the Heights 14. Three plays later, the Eagles lined up for a 35-yard field goal that missed the uprights. GlenOak caught a break with a roughing the kicker penalty, keeping the drive alive. After another three plays, Joey Kelly drilled a 32-yard field goal that put the Eagles up 3-0.
Early in the second quarter, Cleveland Heights began to move the ball, crossing midfield for the first time. On second down, Elijak Gosa threw it up towards the end zone, but Caydren Saunders came down with the interception in the end zone.
Later in the quarter, GlenOak had great starting field position at the Tigers’ 38. The Eagles were able to pick up a couple of first downs through the air, setting up Kelly for a 27-yard field goal. The senior’s kick sailed through the uprights, extending the GlenOak lead to 6-0.
Cleveland Heights then threw an interception on their next play from scrimmage, and two plays from the Eagles would run out the remainder out the quarter. At the half, GlenOak held a 6-0 lead.
Second Half
With neither side able to get on the board on their first possession, GlenOak began their second at the Heights’ 45. On the second play the ball hit the turf and the Tigers came up with it on their own 47. One play later, Jaden McDonald took the sweep and off he went, rumbling 53 yards for a touchdown. After the extra point attempt was blocked, the score was tied 6-6 midway through the third.
The Eagles wasted no time responding, marching straight down the field. On first and ten from the 30, Jamel Hall found Anthony Kaplanis Jr. leaking out of the backfield for a 30-yard touchdown, putting GlenOak up 13-6 late in the third.
Cleveland Heights would turn the ball over on their next two possessions, giving GlenOak the ball near midfield early in the fourth. Following a third down completion by the Eagles, the Tigers were called for a facemask penalty and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a coach, adding 30 yards to the play. Three plays later, LeLand Snell Jr. found paydirt from a yard out, extending the margin to 20-6.
The Tigers would get two more possessions, but could not find the scoreboard on either of them, giving the ball to GlenOak with 13 seconds remaining. One kneel down from the quarterback sealed it, giving the Eagles their first win of the season with a 20-6 final score.
Next Week
The GlenOak Golden Eagles will kick off Federal League play next Friday night when they return to Tom Benson Stadium to take on McKinley (2-1). The Bulldogs picked up a blowout win in Week 3, beating Sandusky 53-7.
Cleveland Heights will hit the road again next week when they travel to Strongsville (1-2) to open Greater Cleveland Conference play. The Mustangs took a loss in Week 3, falling to Olmsted Falls 38-21.
Top Performers
GlenOak Golden Eagles
LeLand Snell Jr.: 29 carries 77 yards TD
Jamel Hall: 14-23 124 yards TD
Caydren Saunders: 8 catches 71 yards INT
Cleveland Heights Tigers
Jaden McDonald: 7 catches 57 yards 3 carries 85 yards TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
GlenOak 4:36- Joey Kelly, 32-yard field goal
2nd Quarter
GlenOak 0:22- Joey Kelly, 27-yard field goal
3rd Quarter
Cleveland Heights 6:22- Jaden McDonald, 53-yard run (kick blocked)
GlenOak 2:20- Jamel Hall to Anthony Kaplanis Jr., 30 yards (kick good)
4th Quarter
GlenOak 6:17- LeLand Snell Jr., 1-yard run (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| GlenOak | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Cleveland Heights | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
