by The 2021 edition was moved back to Week Four of the season. Coach Kostlenik of Avon Lake was happy to see the game moved to a later date in the season, “I have so much respect for Coach Elder and the South program but he and disagree on this point that it is nice to have the game later in the season. In fact in 2023 the game will be week 10 which I am really excited for. I know it will present new challenges like how physical the game is and turning around getting ready for playoffs but Coach Elder and I both will get our kids ready to the best of our abilities.”
Avon Lake had to deal with week of drama as their normal starting quarterback Jeremy Dzik was out and they had to go with Jake DePaul as Kostlelnik explains here, “the covid bug finally came to Avon Lake after 12 games of little to no interference. There is not much to say about DePaul other than he is a great kid who knows how to be a gamer. We stressed nothing to lose and everything to gain and he delivered. “
(Portions of this game recap are from Dom Clary of Kee On Sports) The Eagles stuck quickly with a three-play drive that ended in a 35-yard touchdown run by Jakorian Caffey to being the 2021 edition of the Silver Rail Rivalry. A few possessions later, the Eagles soon extended their lead with a 50-yard field goal from Nathaniel Vakos. It appeared that the Eagles were well on their way to another big home win before everything fell apart in the second quarter.
For Avon Lake, the second quarter began with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Stuewe. The point after was missed however, leaving the game at 10 to 6. A few minutes later it was Avon Lake with the ball back and kicking a Wiley 45-yard field to close the gap to one point. They were just getting started as they would score 21 more points before the quarter was over to take a 30-10 lead at halftime.
A Jake DePaul quarterback sneak would give the Shoremen their first lead. Then the Nathanial Vakos punt was blocked and Pierden Pepe who recovered the ball at the five-yard line and scored. Avon Lake wasn’t done yet and it was Jake DePaul launching another touchdown pass to Stuewe who finished the half with 110 yards, two touchdowns and five receptions as he wouldn’t be targeted the rest of the game.
Coach Kostelnik had this to say about the big quarter for his team, “The boys stepped up and made plays with turnovers and big third down wins that put us in the best position to finish the game. We also were able to capitalize on their mistakes.
I think without a doubt the factor that decided that game was the turnovers in the first half. Without those we do not have the lead that we did going into the second half. The boys played physical and were able to dig in the second half and I couldn’t be happier than that. “
The Eagles came out of the locker room motivated as they would stop the Shoremen and score a quick seven points. Sam DeTillio found Caffey underneath and he went untouched for the 6-yard TD.
Caffey would score another touchdown as a receiver with about seven minutes left in the game to make it 30 to 24 but the Eagles couldn’t get any closer in this one.
Avon had one last chance to take the lead with about 4 minutes left. Avon drove down the field with a mix of pass and run to get close to the Shoremen 30-yard line. As Sam Detillo handed the ball off to Caffey, the ball hit the ground and a pile of Shoremen jumped on it with just two minutes remaining.
Avon Lake ran the ball right through the heart of the Eagles and killed the clock. DePaul would take a knee in victory formation and the Avon Lake students rushed the field to celebrate a win over Avon for the first time since 2018. Avon fought hard to get back into the game, but their efforts were too little too late.
The loss by six took the Eagles to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in the SWC. Caffey would be the main bright spot for the team as he finished with 187 total yards and three touchdowns. Avon Lake’s strong second quarter and tough defense was enough to hold the Eagles back as they moved to 4-0 on the year.
Jake DePaul was the Player of the Game as he was the surprise signal caller for the Shoremen. He was able to get past the Eagles defense on his feet and with his arm. DePaul eclipsed over 200 total yards while scoring three total touchdowns.
Isn’t it interesting once again that the Avon Eagles lose the game, as they did in 2018, and then proceed to go on a massive winning streak that took them to the State Semifinal game versus Hoban? Again, we will get to that rivalry in a bit. The Eagles wouldn’t lose again as they won their next 9 straight games before the Hoban clash. Their only losses that season came to Drew Allar and Medina, their Rivals and then Hoban. Not too shabby.
As for the Eagles, nothing went right again in a bizarre turn of events. The Shoremen would get ravaged by injuries and end up losing 4 of their next 7 games including getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round at home to St. John Jesuit 34-13.
All of this just goes to show, when it comes to the Silver Rail Rivalry, you never know what to expect. Since 2015, they have met in the playoffs three times, and have had 6 games go down to the last possession. I don’t know about you, but I find it impossible not to get roped into this amazing rivalry.
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