by When these two teams hook up, you can always count on plenty of points being scored. 2017 and 2018 both saw the teams combine for over 120 points each game. Tonight, was no different as the combined for 16 total touchdowns and 112 total points.
Coach Tom DeLuca understood just how big and the importance of this most rivalry win was, “We knew going into the year that week 10 was going to be a huge game. We actually scheduled a practice at BW’s field for one of our camp days in the summer so the kids could have a little familiarity with the facilities prior to our game. I felt like this paid off for us.
The environment for this game was an amazing high school experience. There were a ton of people and the crowds were great! It was fun celebrating a share of the SWC crown! It will be a lasting memory for sure. I didn’t even realize Rocco had so many TDs until after the game. Rocco is a special type of kid. He is very similar to Jack Spellacy. Great player and athlete and even better person.”
In 2022 The Battle for the Bagley Cup is always expected to be a classic and that is exactly what we got in the first half. From the get-go Berea-Midpark’s defense stood tall making the Bulldogs earn every yard they got.
The Titans got the ball after forcing the Bulldogs to punt on their first possession of the game. It only took the Titans three plays to punch home a touchdown. Hudson Devins was the man to punch in the opening score for the Titans making the score 7-0 to start.
Olmsted Falls would not faulter against the Titans as they maintained their gameplan. They mixed up formations by throwing in the power I. This switch in formation helped the Bulldogs tie up the ball game and even things up with a short yardage touchdown from Derek Neckar
The Titans gave the ball right back to their running back in Devins who made the most of his chances. Devins showed not just speed but his ability to break tackles and keep moving forward. He bullied his way for a 48-yard touchdown to regain the lead for the Titans. Unknowingly at the time, this would be the last time the Titans held a lead during the game.
The Bulldogs tied the game up before half giving the ball to Rocco Conti for a three-yard rushing touchdown. This was only the start of the Rocco Conti show. The first half was one of the better first half’s that we’ve seen this year. The second half was one of the most dominant halves a football on the year.
Berea-Midpark started out with the ball with hopes to keep the possession going. These hopes ended shortly thanks to the Bulldogs defense who finally came alive late in the game.
The Bulldogs got the ball on their own half of the field, that didn’t stop Rocco Conti. Conti’s first play of the half was a 82 yard rushing touchdown. Conti and the Bulldogs did not look back after this. Conti rushed for a two more touchdowns on the night bringing his total to two on the season.
The Titans scored one last time on a 63-yard pass from Troy Shick to Matthew Sensel. That brought their total to 21 as they failed to get back in the endzone. The Bulldogs maintained a three-score lead and did not look back.
The final score ended at 49-21 as the Bulldogs took home the Bagley Cup for the fourth year in a row.
Some of the stats leaders were James Rosol going 5 for 7 for 94 yards for the Bulldogs. For the Titans Troy Shick went 9 for 18 with 168 yards 4 picks and 1 touchdown, their rushing leader was Hudson Devins with 15 attempts 129 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2023
Berea-Midpark received the opening kick, and this Battle of Bagley was underway. The Titans wasted no time getting into the endzone. It took them just five plays to take it 72 yards for a score. Noah Silva ran It in from 20 yards out and gave the Titans a 7-0 lead.
Olmsted Falls went to work in their triple-option offense looking to tie this game up, but they could only put together one first down before having to punt the ball right back to Berea-Midpark. The Titans would pick up right where they left off on the first drive and take it right down the field for another score. Devyn Zahursky took the direct snap and powered his way in from three yards out. With 2:14 to go in the first quarter, the Titans led 14-0.
The Bulldogs once again were unable to get anything going and had to punt it away. Two plays later Noah Silva would burst through the middle and gallop 51 yards to the house extending the Titan’s lead even more. It was 21-0 with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.
Olmsted Falls would finally be able to put a drive together and get back into this game. After a few big runs from Owen Singleton, the Bulldogs would finally find the endzone. Jimmy Rosol dropped back and threw a perfect ball to Trent Hrabnicky in the back of the endzone. The PAT would be blocked, and the score was now 21-6.
Olmsted Falls needed a stop on defense and that’s exactly what they did. On fourth down a huge hit forced the Daniel Bowser pass to hit the ground and the Bulldogs took over at their own 40-yard line. The drive did not go according to plan as on the very first play they would put the ball on the turf and Andrew Hanchuk was on it for the Titans.
The Bulldog defense stepped up once again forcing a three and out and Jalen Ball jogged onto the field for the punt. He would hit a beauty of a ball and it would be downed at the one-yard line.
The Bulldogs took over on what seemed like inches from their own goal line and could do nothing but give their punter some room. Austin Clay would catch the punt and returned it all the way down to the Bulldogs 15 and the Titans were threatening once again. One play later Zahursky would find the endzone again, this time through the air. Daniel Bowser hit him from 15 yards out for the score. With 4:03 left in the half, the Titans led 28-6.
Jalen Ball would once again make an impact on special teams. His kickoff went over the head of the returner and would check up at the three-yard line. Trent Hrabnicky could do nothing but fall on it and the Bulldogs were backed up once again. They would be able to put together one first down but had to punt it away once again.
Berea-Midpark took over at the 46-yard line and had 1:51 to try and extend this lead. Steven Goodnough was not going to let it get any bigger as he jumped Bowser’s pass and ended the Titan’s drive. The teams headed to the locker room with the Titans leading 28-6.
Olmsted Falls came out of the locker room as a completely different team. On the opening drive of the half, the Bulldogs took it right down the field and scored. Derek Neckar carried what seemed like the entire Titans defense into the endzone from 20 yards out. After a two-point conversion, the Titan lead was now just 28-14.
The defense for Olmsted Falls would step up as well and they forced a quick punt from Berea-Midpark. The run game was starting to dominate as again the Bulldogs took it down the field and scored. Neckar would score again this time from 13 yards out and all of a sudden, we had a ball game. It was 28-21 with 49 seconds left in the third.
The Bulldog defense once again made a play to get the ball back to their offense. Steven Goodnough snagged his second interception of the game, and the Bulldogs had the ball at their own 17 with a chance to tie.
Berea-Midpark’s defense finally calmed down and forced an Olmsted Falls punt. Austin Clay would return it to the house, and it looked like this game was over. Instead, a holding call brought it back. Still, a few first downs from the offense could end the game but instead, they turned it over. Anthony Salamah jumped on the loose ball and the Bulldogs had the ball with another chance to tie it up.
The Bulldogs would take a deep shot on second down and ten and it would fall incomplete. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct call made the third and ten a third and 25. They were unable to pick that up and had to punt it away and hope for a stop with 4:08 left and all their timeouts remaining.
Needing just a first down to win this rivalry game the Titans turned to their workhorse Noah Silva. He took the handoff and sprinted 62 yards for his third score of the night to put this one on ice. The PAT made it 35-21 with 2:18 to go.
A sack by Mitchell Hausler on fourth down gave the Titans the ball back and a few kneel downs ended this one. Noah Silva ran for 208 yards and three scores on 20 carries to give Berea-Midpark the 35-21 win over crosstown rival Olmsted Falls.
Two great coaches and traditions that continue to get better season in and season out. It’s astounding the number of differences between two schools just a few miles apart. The Titans are a high-flying offense playing on artificial turf that can put up punches in bunches. Olmsted Falls is a methodical attack that will wear down the opposition and break their spirit.
Coach DeLuca had these final thoughts on the great rivalry along with just what makes Friday nights in the fall, so special! “When I first started at Olmsted Falls, I was told that North Olmsted was our rival. You could also throw Avon Lake into the mix in that rivalry talk going back a long time when Coach Ryan and Coach Dlugosz were battling it out.
But when Mid Park and Berea merged it became a natural rivalry fueled by the kids! I think this rivalry has grown over the years not just through football but with all of the sports. This is what high school sports is all about. The kids will remember these games for years to come.
Friday night lights are a chance for everyone in a community to put all of their differences aside for a moment and just cheer for their community. No one cares about all of the controversies in the world and they can just have fun and be a part of the Friday night experience. “
If I was going to sum up the Bagley Cup rivalry, the best way I can do it is by saying this. It is two blue collar towns only a few miles apart that are in it for the right reason. When you buy your ticket and take your seat for the game, expect a lot of emotion and a ton of points!
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