Suburban League Thriller: Highland Walk-Off Touchdown Beats Wadsworth

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Granger, OH: With the rain pouring at North Gateway Tire Field and no time on the clock, Colton Wadle connected with Jake Weber for a 6-yard touchdown, giving Highland (8-1) a 29-28 victory over the undefeated Wadsworth Grizzlies (8-1). Trailing by five with under three minutes to go, Isaac Demming picked off Wadsworth quarterback Brysen Hall to set up the game-winning drive. Wadle went 15-24 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 64 yards and two scores on the ground. Jay’len King led the way offensively for the Grizzlies, hauling in eight catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

First Half

The Hornets received the opening kickoff and managed to pick up a first down before being forced to punt. Luckily for Highland, Wadsworth could not get any momentum going and punted the ball away.

Starting their next drive on their 28, Colton Wadle connected with Evan Foust for a 27 yard completion. Three plays later, Wadle connected with Jake Weber for a 27-yard touchdown, putting Highland up 7-0. Wadsworth promptly responded with a scoring drive of their own, going 80 yards in 15 plays and tying the game at 7-7 on a three-yard run by Jude Haller.

Highland quickly marched down the field on their next possession, getting a big 36-yard completion from Wadle to Foust that put them just outside the red zone. While the offense stalled out, the Hornets were able to retake the lead 10-7 on a 27-yard field goal by Jonah Kowza.

Wadsworth began their ensuing drive backed up on their own 15. A pair of completions picked up first downs and a pass interference call moved the ball into Hornets’ territory. Four plays later, Wadsworth regained the lead on a 21-yard touchdown from Brysen Hall to Jay’len King. After the extra point sailed through the uprights, the Grizzlies were in front 14-10.

After the Hornets had a quick three-and-out, Wadsworth began their next possession in Highland territory. It took nearly three minutes, but a 15-yard run from Braydan Todd put the Grizzlies back on the board, making it a 21-10 game late in the second quarter.

Highland got the ball back with under a minute left and moved it past midfield, but ran out of time. Heading into halftime, Wadsworth held a 21-10 lead.

Second Half

Wadsworth received the second half kickoff but did not have the ball long, as Ben Radigan picked off Hall on the third play. Highland kept the ball on the ground and moved it past midfield, but the ball was fumbled and the Grizzlies recovered.

After two incompletions to start the drive, Hall went 4-4 in the next six plays, extending the Wadsworth lead to 28-10 on a 10-yard completion to Kolbey Ostervich. Trailing by three scores, Highland kept pounding the ball on their next drive. On the ninth play of the drive, Wadle took the quarterback keeper 1 yard up the middle for a touchdown. Jonah Kowza’s kick sailed through the uprights, drawing Highland closer at 28-17.

With a chance to run some clock in the fourth and make the Hornets sweat even more, Wadsworth elected to throw the ball. Two completions picked up big yardage but the other attempts were incomplete. After holding the ball for just 1:33, the Grizzlies punted back to the Hornets.

Head Coach Mike Gibbons dug deep into his bag of tricks, pulling out a double pass that picked up 25 huge yards for Highland. Again on the ninth play of the drive, Wadle called his own number, this time for a 12-yard touchdown. The Hornets went for two but could not convert, making it 28-23 Wadsworth with 6:47 remaining.

Late Game Heroics

On Wadsworth’s first play of their next drive, Evan Foust intercepted Hall to give the Hornets great field position. Unfortunately for Highland, a big fumble on third down killed the drive and they were forced to punt. Wadsworth kept the ball in the air on their next drive and were intercepted again, this time by Isaac Demming with 2:58 remaining.

Starting from the Grizzlies’ 40, Highland kept the ball on the ground and were able to pick up chunk yardage. The Hornets got all the way to the Wadsworth six with just seconds on the clock. With the final seconds ticking away, Wadle rolled out and hit Weber for a six-yard, game-winning touchdown. The sideline exploded in celebration as the Hornets put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Suburban League National Conference crown.

Next Week

The victory puts the Hornets in sole possession of first place in the National Conference. They will have the opportunity for a first year crown next week when they travel to Hudson. The Explorers picked up a 48-12 win over Stow in Week 9.

With the Grizzlies suffering their first loss of the season, they are now on the outside looking in for the SLN title. Wadsworth closes out its regular season at home next week when they host Nordonia (8-1). The Knights took down Medina 38-13 at home in Week 9.

Top Performers

Wadsworth Grizzlies

Brysen Hall: 19-36 224 yards 2 TD 3 INT   9 carries 71 yards

Jay’len King: 8 catches 113 yards TD

Highland Hornets

Colton Wadle: 15-24 176 yards 2 TD   12 carries 64 yards 2 TD

Jake Weber: 8 catches 106 yards 2 TD

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Highland 4:28- Colton Wadle to Jake Weber, 27 yards (kick good)

2nd Quarter

Wadsworth 10:58- Jude Haller, 3-yard run (kick good)

Highland 6:21- Jonah Kowza 27-yard field goal

Wadsworth 4:12- Brysen Hall to Jay’len King, 21 yards (kick good)

Wadsworth 0:26- Braydan Todd, 15-yard run (kick good)

3rd Quarter

Wadsworth 5:49- Brysen Hall to Kolbey Ostervich, 10 yards (kick good)

4th Quarter

Highland 11:50- Colton Wadle, 1-yard run (kick good)

Highland 6:47- Colton Wadle, 12-yard run (2pt. no good)

Highland 0:00- Colton Wadle to Jake Weber, 6 yards