by WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OHIO — Junior quarterback Moe Abdelhady gave the crowd something to remember Friday night. The Westlake signal caller threw for unofficially 215 yards and five touchdowns to guide the Demons over Warrensville Heights, 42-27.
Abdelhady wasted no time in getting the Demons’ offense rolling. On Westlake’s first drive, he connected with junior running back Wes Urich on a 24-yard screen pass to put the Demons on the board first. After a Tigers punt, Abdelhady struck again just three plays later, connecting with senior wide receiver William Bierfeldt on a highlight-reel 69-yard touchdown reception.
Warrensville pulled within a score in the late first quarter when senior Jayvon Johnson quarterbacked 30 yards to the end zone, narrowing the difference. But Abdelhady struck back. On the second quarter’s first play, he passed to senior Stephen Trowbridge on a 27-yard screen, expanding the advantage to 21-6.
The Demons kept pushing. Abdelhady and Urich connected again for their second tally of the night, before sophomore Nathan Meyer made a play on defense to secure the game. Meyer intercepted Johnson and went the distance to the Tigers’ one-yard line, where he prepared himself for a one-yard rushing score to make the Demons 35-6.
Near the game’s midpoint, Warrensville Heights’ momentum was changed by an 80-yard kickoff return by tight end Raynell Cooper, narrowing the lead and leaving the Tigers within striking distance.
They carried that momentum over into the third quarter. After a Westlake punt, junior running back Geordan Mitchell burst off a 76-yard dash to the Westlake five-yard line before punching it in from a yard out. The Tigers’ grit made it 35-20 and got the visitors back into the game.
But Westlake’s offense slammed the door in the fourth quarter. Abdelhady directed an 18-play drive that drained the clock and capped it with his fifth touchdown pass, sealing the 42-27 win.
Westlake head coach Logan Yantek praised both teams on their effort after the game.
“We told the kids after the game that the last two times we’ve played here have been a crazy game,” stated Yantek. “We get up on them and they fight back. Kudos to Coach BRuss for having his guys competing for all 48 minutes.”
MVP of the Game: Moe Abdelhady
Abdelhady finished with 215 passing yards and five scoring passes, looking calm and accurate throughout. His ability to spread the ball around — finding multiple receivers with touchdowns — proved to be the difference.
Westlake improves to 2-1 with the win and turns its attention now to Cleveland West Conference play. The Demons open conference play next Friday at Lou Duchez Field against the Lakewood Rangers.
Warrensville Heights (1-2) will turn it around and head home for a featured game on homecoming night against Cleveland Central Catholic.
