by – Strongsville, Ohio
FINAL SCORE: The Strongsville Mustangs defeat the Solon Comets 32-0 in the 1st round of the OHSAA Playoffs.
Strongsville received the opening kickoff and wasted no time setting the tone offensively. On the first play from scrimmage, RB Kendrick Boddie burst through the line for a 19-yard gain. Later in the drive, facing a crucial 3rd-and-8, QB Jack Kasner connected with WR Brayden Alfred for a 13-yard completion to keep the drive alive and move the Mustangs deep into Solon territory. A holding penalty backed Strongsville up 10 yards, but the setback proved insignificant. Kasner responded by throwing a perfectly placed pass to WR Ethan Wolfe, who hauled in a 27-yard touchdown. The score gave Strongsville an early 7-0 lead. On Solon’s first possession of the game, ATH Jack Sanders sparked the possession with a 41-yard run that quickly moved the Comets into Mustangs territory. Facing a 4th-and-1, Sanders powered ahead for a 3-yard gain to extend the drive and move the ball to the Strongsville 30-yard line. A few plays later, Solon once again turned to Sanders on a 4th-and-3, and he picked up just enough yardage to earn another first down. The Comets appeared assured to tie the game when they reached the Strongsville 10-yard line. However, on a 3rd-and-1, disaster struck. A high snap sailed over the head of QB Diiulio, and Strongsville won the scramble for the loose ball, giving possession back to the Mustangs.
Strongsville continued to capitalize on the momentum generated by the fumble recovery. Early in the ensuing possession, Kasner connected with Wolfe on a 16-yard catch-and-run that helped push the Mustangs into Solon territory as the first quarter came to a close. Strongsville methodically marched down the field. Boddie ripped off a pair of first-down runs, moving the Mustangs inside the Comets’ 5-yard line. With a chance to extend the lead, Strongsville faced a 3rd-and-3 from the Solon 3-yard line. Kasner delivered once again, finding TE Nick LaBahn for a 3-yard touchdown pass. The scoring strike capped off an impressive drive and extended the Mustangs’ lead to 14-0. Solo, searching for a spark on their next possession. A pass interference penalty against Strongsville provided the Comets with a boost and moved the ball close to midfield. However, a false start penalty immediately pushed Solon back five yards. The Comets later faced a 3rd-and-8 and looked to generate a big play through the air. Diiulio took a shot downfield, but the pass fell incomplete. Unable to convert, Solon was forced to punt the ball away, giving possession back to Strongsville.
Strongsville’s offense cooled off on their next possession and was forced to punt the ball back to Solon. Looking to generate some momentum before halftime, the Comets got started with a first-down run from Sanders. However, the Strongsville defense continued to control the line of scrimmage and limited any further momentum. Facing a 3rd-and-9, Solon attempted to convert through the air, but the pass fell incomplete. The Comets were forced to punt again, giving the ball back to the Mustangs with 1:08 remaining in the first half. Strongsville took advantage of the favorable field position and quickly moved into scoring range. A combination of first-down runs and completions helped drive the Mustangs into Solon territory, and a late-hit penalty against the Comets provided an additional boost. The march reached the Solon 19-yard line before a false start penalty backed Strongsville up five yards and created a challenging 3rd-and-15. Kasner then connected with Alfred for a 16-yard gain, moving the chains and putting the Mustangs inside the Solon 10-yard line. Although Strongsville could not find the end zone, the drive still produced points. Kicker Vincent Roncone drilled a 22-yard field goal to cap the possession and extend Stronsville’s lead. The kick sent Strongsville into the locker room, carrying a 17-0 lead at halftime.
Solon received the opening kickoff of the second half, looking to spark a comeback, but Strongsville’s defense continued its dominant performance. The Comets were unable to put together a drive and were forced to punt the ball right back to the Mustangs. Strongsville quickly went back to work offensively. A 14-yard reception by Alfred moved the Mustangs into Solon territory and set the tone for the drive. Facing a 3rd-and-6 Kasner found Wolfe for a 6-yard gain, just enough to move the chains and keep the possession alive. The Mustangs continued to march down the field behind their balanced offensive attack. Boddie picked up a first down on the ground, moving the ball to the Solon 20-yard line. A short time later, Kasner connected with Wolfe again for another first-down reception, this one carrying Strongsville all the way to the Solon 7-yard line. With the Comets’ defense on its heels, Strongsville turned to Boddie who powered his way into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run, extending the Mustangs’ lead to 24-0.
Any hopes of a Solon comeback were effectively erased on the Comets’ next possession. On the very first play of the drive, Diiulio dropped back to pass, but LB Nathan Rodak stepped in front of the throw and intercepted it. Rodak raced untouched into the end zone for a pick-six. The Mustangs converted the ensuing two-point attempt, pushing the lead to 32-0 and triggering a running clock. Still searching for any positive momentum, Solon continued to battle. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Strongsville helped move the Comets near midfield as the game entered the fourth quarter. Diiulio later connected with WR Spencer Kramer for a 30-yard reception that moved Solon inside the Strongsville 20-yard line and gave the Comets one of their best scoring opportunities of the night. Facing a 4th-and-5 from the Strongsville 12-yard line, Solon elected to keep the offense on the field. Diiulio looked to convert through the air, but the pass fell incomplete, resulting in a turnover on downs and giving the ball back to the Mustangs with 7:30 remaining in the contest. Behind its running game and with the running clock in effect, the Mustangs methodically drained the remaining time off the clock. The Mustangs rolled to a 32-0 victory over Solon, with the win, Strongsville advances to face Mentor in the second round of the OHSAA playoffs.
Strongsville was led by QB Jack Kasner who went 11/19 passing for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, RB’s Kendrick Boddie had 15 carries for 97 yards, and 1 touchdown and Austin Tatulinski had 10 carries for 54 yards and a 2-point conversion, WR’s Brayden Alfred had 4 receptions for 50 yards and Ethan Wolfe had 4 receptions for 59 yards and 1 touchdown, and TE Nick LaBahn with 1 reception for a 3-yard touchdown.
Solon was led by QB Callan Diiulio who went 6/15 passing for 59 yards and 1 interception, ATH Jack Sanders had 20 carries for 104 yards, and WR’s Zachary Berk had 3 receptions for 21 yards and Spencer Kramer had 3 receptions for 38 yards.
Player of the Game: Strongsville RB Kendrick Boddie, 15 carries for 97 yards, and 1 touchdown
