by Kee On Sports
Berea-Midpark vs Amherst by Darryl Epps
1st quarter
Amherst started the game with a few successful plays, but the offense stalled and they punted it away to the Titans. The Titans on their first possession ended up turning the ball over to the Comets on an interception thrown by quarterback Luke Devins.
After 11 minutes of play and the ball going between both teams, the Titans’ Luke Devins connected with receiver Devin Johnson for a 62-yard bomb for the games first touchdown and extra point.
With momentum on his side, Berea-Midpark’s coach Hunek surprised a stunned Amherst team with an onsides kick off that was successfully recovered by Cole Bunner, but the Titans were unable to capitalize on it. The 1st quarter ended with Amherst in possession of the football and down 7 to 0.
2nd quarter
With good field possession, the Comets went to the run game and marched down the field in 1 minute and 28 seconds, for their own touchdown behind a 1-yard quarterback keeper from Tyler Brezina.
After an unsuccessful extra point attempt, the score was Titans 7 Comets 6. After the kickoff Berea-Midpark stumbled with gaining yardage and ultimately fumbled the ball to give possession and excellent field position over to Amherst.
The Comets went back to the ground game, marching 25 yards and scored behind a 5 yard run from Alden Steele. The Comets converted a two point conversion with a pass to Torre Weatherspoon to grab the lead at 14 to 7.
At their own 35-yard line, the Titans went to their own running game before Luke Devins completed a 21 yard passing touchdown to Devin Johnson; their second score. Berea-Midpark missed the extra point and after trading possession back and forth, the half ended with the score Comets 14 and Titans 13.
3rd quarter
The second half started with both teams trading possessions with little success until the 9:40 mark, when quarterback Tyler Brezina threw his second interception of the game to the Titans Hudson Devins who ran it back 22 yards to the Comets 9 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Aquan Bell rolled into the end zone for the touchdown and the Titan lead.
Berea-Midpark successfully converted a two point conversion with a pass to wideout Deangelo Borders, who was able to keep his feet inbounds in the back of the end zone making the score 21 Titans 14 Comets. After a short possession by Amherst, Berea-Midpark received the ball and were able to move the ball down the field on two pass catches of 44 yards and 30 yards by wide receiver Jack Arnold to have the ball 1st and goal at the 7 yard line.
After three unsuccessful attempts at scoring, the Titans tried a field goal which was no good, but unfortunately for the Comets they were penalized for roughing the kicker and gave the Titans another 1st and goal. With under 1 minutes left on the clock, Berea-Midpark settled for a field goal by kicker Luka Citovic to increase their lead to 24-14.
4th quarter
The quarter started with the both teams trading possession within minutes before the Comets’ Alden Steele picked off Devins for a 32-yard pick 6 touchdown, this brought Amherst within 3 points of the score.
At the 9:00 mark Berea-Midpark was forced to punt to Amherst’s Macky Perdue, who was able to catch the ball at his own 40 yard line and make a couple of quick maneuvers before being tackled at the Titans’ 23 yard line, but the Comets stalled and turned the ball over to the Titans on downs.
The Titans also succumbed to the inability to move the ball and punted the ball back to the Comets. The Comets went back to their bread and butter run game and gained 45 yards on two runs by Torre Weatherspoon, looking to score at the Titans’ 8 yard line.
Berea-Midpark was able to create a turnover on downs and gain the ball with two and a half minutes remaining and up by 3 points, but was unable to convert a second first down and punted to the ball back to Amherst with 1:39 left on the clock.
Amherst, on their own 45 yard line and no times outs, went 55 yards to score the game winning touchdown on a 1 yard touchdown run by Macky Perdue with little time left. With 0:20 left Titans’ quarterback Luke Devins was picked off to end the game with the score Amherst Steele 28 Berea-Midpark 24.
Players of the Game:
Amherst Steele Comets- RB Jonathan West (12 carries 97 yards rushing) & QB Tyler Brezina (55 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INT)
Berea-Midpark Titans- QB Luke Devins (177 passing yards, 2 TD, 3INT)
