by Shaker Heights traveled to Brunswick today for a Greater Cleveland Conference matchup. Both teams are coming off losses and looked to improve their standings in conference play. Brunswick won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
Brunswick started on their own 33-yard line after returning a squib kick for around 5 yards. Shaker’s defense started off hot with a forced fumble that was recovered by the Raiders, setting them up well into Brunswick’s territory. They came away with a field goal by Andrew Mullen, putting them up 3-0 early in the first. Shaker’s defense continued to slow Brunswick down by forcing another short three and out. A bad snap from the long snapper led to Brunswick’s punter falling on the ball in the end zone, and Shaker downing him for a safety. Shaker looked to receive the ball again after going up 5-0 very early in the first. After some runs by quarterback Saint Anthony Crawford V and running back Ke’Aryn Green, the Brunswick defense was able to force another field goal try, this time from 48 yards. The kick by Andrew Mullen is right down the middle, putting the Raiders up 8-0.
Brunswick and Shaker Heights defenses began making very quick work of each other’s offenses. After a few short three and outs by both squads Brunswick had the ball again. They found themselves in Raider territory after a nice run by Gavin Ballok, and a great third and long completion to Adin Evert. This progress was slowed quickly after a 20-yard run was called back for holding on the Blue Devil’s. This led to a fourth and long where Connor Jamison went for it downfield, and the ball fell into the hands of Shaker Heights defensive back Keon Staten. This worked in favor of Brunswick, setting Shaker Heights up on their own 2-yard line.
Shaker barely escaped two safeties and was forced to punt shortly after regaining possession. Backed up, Shaker’s kicker felt the pressure as he did not have much room to work with, and Shaker kicked the ball out of bounds for an incredibly short 4-yard punt, setting the Blue Devils up inside of the Raider red zone. Brunswick looked to score, but was stopped again by the Raider defense, forcing a field goal. Logan Evans kicked it through the uprights to get the Blue Devils on the board. Brunswick is now trailing 8-3 with 6:44 remaining in the half.
Brunswick’s defense came out feeling energized on this drive, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Carter Wickes. Brunswick’s defense again set them up for a great scoring opportunity just outside the Raiders end zone. After an offensive holding and a long second down, Jamison found Evert, which made it a gettable third and short. This is when Jamison threw a perfect pass in between two defenders to find Maxx Eicher over the middle for the first touchdown of the game. After the point after was good, Brunswick took the lead 10-8 with 3:56 left in the half. Brunswick’s defense kept their intensity high and forced another quick three and out and got the ball back with a minute left in the half. This is where Brunswick’s offense really started to click. After making some great finds to Anthony Gamboa, Gavin Ballok, and Adin Evert, quarterback Connor Jamison recognized the mismatch on Adin Evert and threw it over the top to him on a fourth and long, scoring with 30 seconds left in the half. This brought the game to halftime where the Blue Devils led the Raiders 17-8.
Coming out of the half, Shaker Heights started with possession. Brunswick’s defense made three great stops and put their offense on the field again. In their own territory, Jamison found Gamboa over the middle for a 58-yard strike straight into Raider territory. However, Jamison was not ready for Deonta Robinson Jr. to read his eyes and pick the ball off right at the goal line for Shaker Heights. The Raiders looked to get their offense rolling here, but good defense by Brunswick and careless penalties cost them a lot of big plays.
After an incredible punt by Andrew Mullen, the Blue Devils started out at their own 5-yard line. The Blue Devils were not fazed at this scenario. While being tackled, Jamison found Gamboa again on the sideline, and due to great running and an amazing block by Evert, Gamboa ran into the end zone for a huge 81-yard touchdown. After the extra point was made, the Blue Devils led 24-8 with 5:31 left to play in the 3rd quarter.
The Shaker Heights Raiders could not get their offense rolling, turning the ball over on their next possession. This brought the game to the end of the third with Brunswick in possession of the ball. A missed field goal by the Blue Devils gave the ball back to the Raiders, but they were again unable to capitalize and punted the ball away again.
With the ball back, Brunswick started to put out different looks on offense, subbing in backup quarterback Luke Tamosiunas every so often. After some good passes and a 4th-down conversion by Jamison, Tamosiunas threw Keon Staten his second interception of the game. This ball was returned all the way to Brunswick’s redzone, where Saint Anthony Crawford V found his way into the end zone for Shaker Heights first touchdown of the night. The 2-point conversion was another quarterback keep, stopped at the line making it 24-14. At this point, the Raiders tried to regain possession of the ball, but the Blue Devils could not be stopped. After slowly moving down the field, draining the clock, quarterback Luke Tamosiunas finds wide receiver Jake Tamosiunas for a back corner of the end zone, toe tapping, brother to brother touchdown. The Raiders received the ball, made one more deep completion to receiver Shaun Walls, and the game ended with a final score of Brunswick 31 and Shaker Heights 14.
The players of the game for Shaker Heights were quarterback Saint Anthony Crawford V, who went 11/20 on passing for 97 yards and a rushing touchdown, and Andrew Mullen, who was involved on defensive stops and was 2/2 on field goals that were both over 30-yards.
The players of the game for Brunswick were Anthony Gamboa, who had 6 receptions for 191-yards and a touchdown, Adin Evert, who had 5 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, Connor Jamison who went 16/35 with 283 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Carter Wickes who recovered a fumble and recorded multiple sacks and big tackles on the night.
The Brunswick Blue Devils move to 1-1 in conference play and 3-2 on the season. They look to add on to this win when they travel to Lorain next Friday. The Shaker Heights Raiders move to 0-2 in conference play and 1-4 overall. Shaker Heights hosts Euclid next week in the hopes of ending this four-game losing streak.
