by Hudson, Ohio – The Medina Highland Hornets held off the Hudson Explorers, 13-10, in Week #10 action at Hudson Memorial Stadium.
Hudson entered Friday night in 5th in Division I, Region 1, and Medina Highland entered 1st in Division II, Region 5, according to JoeEitel.com.
The two teams exchanged punts to open up Friday’s game. On Medina Highland’s second possession, senior Gavin Hitchcock came up a fumble recovery for the Explorers. One play later, Medina Highland forced a turnover of their own as senior Chatham Phillips picked off a Hayden Lipinski pass.
Not long after that, senior Anthony Paolucci picked off a Colton Wadle pass, and the Explorers were back in business. Hudson would get to the Highland seven yard line, but came up empty handed due to a missed field goal.
Medina Highland would move the ball down the field with runs from sophomore Levi Clark and senior Anthony DePompei. However, they would have to settle for a field goal from senior Jonah Kowza from 32 yards out. The Hornets led, 3-0, with 9:44 left in the second quarter.
Highland defense would come up with another big play as Chatham Phillips picked off another Hudson pass.
Despite being in excellent field position, the Hornets had to settle for three off the boot of Jonah Yowza, who drilled another field goal from 38 yards out.
On the Explorers’ next drive, they moved the ball downfield thanks to a first down by Reno Ferri, and a Lipinski to Mark Salem connection. The Hornet defense came up with another stand, forcing a turnover on downs.
Highland moved the ball downfield methodically, thanks to sophomore Colton Wadle, who had a pair of key first down runs. Wadle would finish the drive finding senior Evan Faust for a touchdown with 38 seconds left in the second quarter to pad the lead to 13-0.
Colton Wadle found Evan Faust for a ten yard touchdown with 38 seconds left to pad the lead to 13-0 in favor of Medina Highland.
Hudson had one more chance to put points on the board, but Lipinski’s heave to the end zone was broken up by the defense. Medina Highland led 13-0 at the half.
Hudson was forced to punt following their opening drive in the third quarter. Their punt was downed by Ritley Keswick and Trent Smith at the Highland one-yard line. Highland went three and out, punting the ball away themselves.
Despite the short field, Hudson could only manage a field goal. Senior Xavier Pallo booted his 27-yard attempt through the uprights to cut the Highland lead to 13-3 with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
Highland came up with another big turnover on defense, as Evan Foust came up with the loose ball on a fumble in the fourth quarter. The Hornets were looking to potentially ice the game with a touchdown as they continued to move the ball downfield. However, Hudson came up with a big play, as sophomore William Sutton broke through the line and blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt.
However, the Highland defense would force another punt. The loose ball ended up hitting a Highland player, and senior Ritley Keswick recovered the loose ball for the Explorers. A few plays later, senior Reno Ferri ran it in from three yards out, cutting the Highland lead to 13-10 with 7:41 left.
After forcing another punt, the Hudson offense was on the move, with a chance to tie or take the lead. However, the Hornets had other plans. Senior Evan Foust forced a fumble that was recovered by Ben Radigan.
Hudson forced a punt and got the ball back with 33 seconds to go. A Hayden Lipinski to Gavin Hitchcock connection put the Explorers in field goal range. The tying field goal attempt was wide right, giving Medina Highland the win after a kneel down.
Medina Highland finishes their season at 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the Suburban League National Division. The Hornets unofficially secured the top seed in Division II, Region 5 and secured a first-round bye.
Hudson finishes their season at 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Suburban League National Division. The Explorers will host a playoff game Week #11 in Division I, Region 1.
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