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OLMSTED FALLS — In front of a packed house, the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs and Berea-Midpark Titans delivered a Battle of Bagley for the ages.
With just 19 seconds remaining, Bulldogs quarterback Cameron Pesch scored on a 17-yard touchdown run to give Olmsted Falls a thrilling 42–38 victory over their rival.
The atmosphere was electric throughout the night, as both teams traded blows in a game that saw the lead change hands seemingly every time someone scored.
Both quarterbacks put their teams on their backs, throwing for over 200 yards apiece. Pesch completed 17 of 21 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns while adding 99 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Berea-Midpark quarterback Dylan Papushak completed 18 of 28 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, adding another score on the ground.
Following a turnover on downs, the Bulldogs needed just one play to score the game’s first touchdown. Pesch connected with wide receiver Adam Smith for a 69-yard touchdown, giving Olmsted Falls an early 7–0 lead.
The Titans responded with the next two touchdowns, marking the only time either team scored twice consecutively. Running back Xaviere Harden scored Berea-Midpark’s first touchdown before Papushak connected with Nick Reece for a 70-yard score. A blocked extra-point attempt on the first touchdown left the Titans ahead 13–7.
Following an exchange of turnovers, Olmsted Falls took possession at the Berea-Midpark 4-yard line. Two plays later, Pesch redeemed his earlier turnover with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Bulldogs back in front 14–13.
But Berea-Midpark answered once again. Papushak completed three passes for 57 yards on the ensuing possession before finding the end zone with his legs, giving the Titans a 20–14 advantage.
Pesch and the Bulldogs responded with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Pesch capped the possession with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Aidan O’Malley, putting Olmsted Falls ahead 21–20 with less than a minute remaining in the half.
The Bulldogs couldn’t take that lead into the locker room, however, as Berea-Midpark kicker Dusan Novakovic connected on a field goal as time expired to give the Titans a 23–21 halftime advantage.
After an explosive first half, the third quarter featured a change of pace, with just seven points scored.
Olmsted Falls running back Owen Radigan, who finished with 30 carries for 148 yards, broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs ahead 28–23.
Following the game’s lone punt, Olmsted Falls put together its longest possession of the night, a 20-play drive featuring Radigan on more than half the plays.
The Titans’ defense bent but didn’t break, forcing a field-goal attempt that the Bulldogs were unable to convert.
Olmsted Falls carried its 28–23 advantage into the fourth quarter, where the offensive fireworks returned.
Following the missed field goal, Harden broke free for a 43-yard run to move Berea-Midpark down the field. A few plays later, Papushak connected with Reece for a 36-yard touchdown before running in the two-point conversion, giving the Titans a 31–28 lead.
The Bulldogs answered with another lengthy possession, this time a 12-play drive. Pesch capped it with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Keegan Smith, putting Olmsted Falls back in front 35–31 with just over two minutes remaining.
But the Titans weren’t finished.
Starting at the Olmsted Falls 43-yard line, Papushak needed just four plays to find Andre Alexander for a touchdown, giving Berea-Midpark a 38–35 advantage with a little over a minute left.
Now it was the Bulldogs’ turn to respond one final time.
Taking possession at the Berea-Midpark 43-yard line, Pesch used both his arm and legs to lead Olmsted Falls down the field. With just 19 seconds remaining, the star quarterback broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving the Bulldogs a 42–38 lead.
Berea-Midpark had one final opportunity. Starting at its own 20-yard line following a touchback, the Titans completed two passes to reach midfield but were unable to find the end zone as time expired.
With the victory, Olmsted Falls improves to 6–2 overall and 4–1 in Southwestern Conference play. The Bulldogs will host the Midview Middies next week in their final home game of the season.
Berea-Midpark falls to 5–3 overall and 3–2 in conference play. The Titans will look to rebound next week when they travel to Elyria to face the Pioneers.
Olmsted Falls Player of the Game — Cameron Pesch: Completed 17 of 21 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 15 times for 99 yards and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown with 19 seconds remaining.
Berea-Midpark Player of the Game — Dylan Papushak: Completed 18 of 28 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns while adding another touchdown on the ground.
