by NORTH OLMSTED, OH – The North Olmsted Eagles used a strong run game to combat the high strike passing offense of Bay Village to capture the 41-28 Homecoming night victory. Ameer Silmi and Koen Beasley combined for 268 yards on 42 carries.
As mentioned, the Eagle run game was loaded tonight as Koen Beasley went for 143 yards on 22 carries with 3 touchdowns while Ameer Silmi finished with 125 yards on 20 carries and two scores. Eagle quarterback Cam Massimiani passed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 5 of 6 passing with a sack. Cody Jak took a two yard screen pass, 29 yards to score while Billy Suleiman had a drive moving 25-yard snag.
This was a counterattack to Bay Village quarterback Patrick Clearly who went 39 of 53 passing for 395 yards with 4 touchdown passes as the Rockets didn’t call one run play the entire game. His top threats were Brody Beggs who caught 6 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns while Ethan Sedivec caught 5 balls for 88 yards with a score. Logan Bigrigg joined the action with 2 catches for 29 yards as well.
The Eagles opened up the second quarter with a drive led by Koen Beasley and the offensive line making it happen. Beasley had 73 yards on the ground on that drive alone as the Eagles took a 7-0 lead with 9:11 to play in the opening half. The ground and pound method worked to perfection.
North Olmsted kept it on the ground as Silmi had some nice chunk runs on their next drive to keep it moving. This moved them to the redzone as we hit the two-minute mark remaining of the second quarter. Silmi finished what he started on the 63-yard drive with a one-yard rumble to score. This made it 14-0 at the break as Bay did not attempt a single run in the first half while the Eagles feasted on it.
The Eagles started with the ball to open the second half and went right back to the run game. It worked to move the ball quickly. The Eagles switched it up at one point and hit a dart to Billy Suleiman over the middle as he carried a Bay Village tackler until netting 25 yards on the play. One moment later it was Koen Beasley diving over the line to make it 20-0 North Olmsted with 6:08 to play in the third quarter.
The Rockets began to soar however with their first possession of the second half as they went nearly 80 yards in 6 plays, paying off with a 12 yard touchdown pass to Jack McManamon to get on the board. This sliced the Eagle lead to 20-7 with 3:48 to play in the third as the Rockets made it interesting once again.
A 60 plus yard return by Koen Beasley allowed the Eagles to set up shop at the Rocket 33 yard line to begin their next drive. This time it was back to Silmi toting the rock as he went all 6 plays with the ball in his hands until scoring from 10 yards out to open the Eagle lead back up to 27-7 as we closed out the third quarter.
A Brody Beggs high point from 21 yards out cut the lead back down to 27-14. It was a nicely hitched pass that Beggs racked in. Moments later they converted a beautiful onside kick as the kicker Griffin Ruppe placed perfectly up the middle to keep the ball with Bay Village. They kept the heat coming as two plays later it was Ethan Sedivec grabbing one to score from 23 yards out. Just like that, it was 27-21 as the Rockets climbed back in the game quickly!
Minutes later, after a fumbled punt, the Eagles got the ball back at the Rocket 35-yard line. A few plays later a 29-yard touchdown pass to Cody Jake gave the Eagles some breathing room at 34-21 with 6:26 to play in the game.
A Michael Flick amazing interception leap halted the ensuing Rocket drive, allowing the Eagles to salt out the eventual 41-28 win.
Next week the Eagles look to stay hot as they travel to Rocky River in what should be a shootout of a game. The Rockets will host Lakewood on Homecoming night.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Bay QB Patrick Clearly : 39 of 53 passing for 395 yards with 4 TD passes
Bay WR Brody Beggs: 6 catches for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.
North Olmsted RB: Koen Beasley with 143 yards on 22 carries with 3 touchdown runs.
North Olmsted RB Ameer Silmi with 125 yards on 20 carries with 2 touchdown runs.
North Olmsted DB Michael Flick with a game sealing interception.
