by On Friday August 18th, the Amherst Comets hosted the Copley Indians at Mercy Health Stadium. The Comets came into the game looking to turn the page after coming off a winless 2022 season. The Copley Indians also came into the game looking to bounce back, following a 3-8 record for their 2022 campaign. The Indians started with a bang and did not let up. However, a serious of costly penalties against Copley left the door wide open for Amherst to come through and take the lead. The Comets started the season off with a victory in a great team effort, led by junior quarterback, Cole Norris, junior running back, J.R Bires and the entire Comets’ defense.
The game began with Copley’s junior quarterback, Julian Bearshak running for the 1st down. He then threw an impressive 63-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver, Scooby Stanford. Senior kicker, Michael Luecke came on and scored the extra point for the Indians, putting the score at 7-0 with 10:51 left in the 1st quarter.
The Indians wasted no time to get back into the endzone. The Comets first offensive snap was fumbled and was recovered Copley. The Indians capitalized on the fumble after Bearshak handed the ball off to senior running back Ricardo Childs for 6 yards on the play. Bearshak then had a 13-yard touchdown completion to sophomore wide receiver, Andrew McKnight and Luecke came on to kick the extra point, putting Copley up 14-0 with 8:08 left in the opening quarter.
Following a turnover on downs by Amherst, Bearshak showed off his incredible arm once again. After two incomplete passes, he threw an incredible 61-yard touchdown pass to McKnight to extend the Indians’ early lead. Another perfect kick by Luecke increased their lead to 21-0 with 3:45 left in the 1st quarter.
Even though the Comets found themselves down by 21 after the first twelve minutes of play, they did not let that affect them one bit! Amherst was able to capitalize on costly penalties by the Indians to keep themselves in the game. Junior quarterback, Cole Norris carried the ball 20-yards to start off an impressive drive by the Comets. Norris threw a 31-yard completion to senior wide receiver, Jonathan Williams to give Amherst the 1st down. Norris handed the ball off to senior running back Nick Costello who gained 6 yards on the carry. A costly face mask penalty on Copley’s defense put the Comets into 1st and goal. Norris threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver, Tristyn Young to put Amherst on the board. Junior kicker, Nathan Stewart came on to score the extra point, making the score 21-7 with 11:58 left in the first half.
The Comets defense forced the Indians to a quick 3 and out to give the ball right back to Amherst. Sophomore David Dudziak had an impressive punt return to begin Amherst’s drive at Copley’s 48-yard line. After a costly horse collar penalty on the play, the Comets gained 15-yards. The Indians proceeded have two more costly 5-yards penalties called against them that moved the Comets downfield. Norris handed the ball off to junior running back, J.R. Bires who carried the ball for an 8 yards and moved the chains for another 1st down. Norris connected with junior wide receiver Eli Solak who made an amazing catch to secure another touchdown for the Comets. Stewart came on but missed the extra point, putting the score at 21-13 with 9:15 left in the half.
The Comets’ defense continued their success, forcing the Indians to another quick 3 and out. The Comets’ offense capitalized on this by making their way downfield once again. Bires carried the ball 9 yards to start off the drive for Amherst. After another five-yard penalty on Copley, the Comets found themselves approaching the red zone. Bires carried the ball another 13 yards to give Amherst a fresh set of downs on a 1st and goal. Cole Norris ran the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. After missing the 2-point conversion attempt, the Comets found themselves inching towards the Copley lead of 21-19 with 4:46 left in the half.
The Indians were quick to turn over the ball after a fumble recovery by senior defensive back, Landon Fellenstein on the Indians’ first down of the drive. The Copley defense took charge and forced Amherst to 3 and out.
The next Copley drive looked promising as Bearshak threw a 13-yard pass to Stanford and followed with a 14-yard completion to McKnight to move the chains a couple of times before he matched up with Stanford again for a 69-yard touchdown completion. However the touchdown was called back by a holding penalty by Copley. This play took the wind out of the Indians’ sails as Amherst started their takeover.
The Comets started their drive on Copley’s 29-yard line. Following a 15-yard defensive pass interference penalty on the Indians defense, the Comets found the redzone action quickly. Norris handed the ball off to senior running back, Nick Costello who rushed into the endzone for 10-yards. The Comets tricked the Indians on a 2-point conversion play, and Cole Norris ran into the endzone to secure the two extra points for Amherst, making the score 27-21 with 1:53 left in the first half.
The second half opened with costly penalties for both teams that prevented both team from scoring. The Comets started to gain momentum after an interception by senior defensive back, Jacob Kraft. But they were unable to make it to the endzone and Amherst settled for a field goal, but it was unfortunately missed by Stewart.
Copley’s next drive was ended abruptly by an interception by Comet junior defensive back Ashton Draga. Amherst started the drive with an illegal procedures penalty, but they did not let that stop them. After a 10-yard touchdown pass was negated due to an offensive pass interference call, Norris completed a laser shot to Tristyn Young for a 22-yard touchdown. Stewart came on and scored the extra point and put the Comets up 34-21 with 34 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
The Comets’ defense was on fire tonight as the held Copley scoreless for the remainder of the game. Cole Norris continued his precision when he threw a 14-yard completion to senior tight end, Mason Fisher. Norris then passed the ball off to Bires who could not be stopped. He evaded the Indians’ defense as he tore down the field and ran right into the endzone for an impressive 35-yard rushing touchdown. Nathan Stewart came on once again and kicked the extra point through the uprights to extend Amherst’s lead to 41-21 with 8:13 left in the game.
Running back, J.R. Bires is this week’s player of the game. He ran 231 on 35 carries and a touchdown. His speed was no match for Copley as he kept the Amherst Comets in the game. Some honorable mentions are wide receiver Ashton Draga with 2 interceptions, quarterback Cole Norris with 101 passing yards including 2 passing touchdowns as well as 15 carries for 57 rushing yards, and wide receiver Tristyn Young with his 2 touchdown receptions.
Next week, the Amherst Comets look to secure another win as they host the Buckeye Bucks. The Copley Indians look to bounce back as they host the Firestone Falcons.
