by Aurora, Ohio – The Aurora Greenmen defeated the Brecksville Bees, 27-21, at Aurora Veterans Stadium Friday night.
A key player for the Aurora Greenmen, senior Luke McGovern, made his return back from injury. He got things started off on a positive note, taking the opening kickoff to the Brecksville 43. Thanks to a steady diet of running the ball, the Greenmen were able to find the end zone as Luke McGovern took the end around for a three yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked, and Aurora led, 6-0. Their opening drive took 14 plays and nearly eight minutes off the game clock.
Brecksville had a response of their own. They moved the ball down the field, helped by a first-down reception by Peyton Williams. Tut Matchittom capped the drive with a five yard touchdown run. Junior Maycie Schrieber converted the ensuing extra point, being the first female athlete to score on the gridiron in school history. Brecksville led 7-6 early in the second quarter.
The Greenmen defense came up with the first of many big plays, as Carter Romancak recovered a fumble on defense.
Aurora would retake the lead late in the first half. Facing fourth and 11 from the Brecksville 19, junior Mark McGovern found his brother Luke for a 19 yard touchdown reception. McGovern would add the ensuing two-point conversion on a jet sweep, giving Aurora a 14-7 lead.
The Greenmen would hold this margin at the halftime break.
After coming up with a stop on defense in the third quarter, the Greenmen had the ball, looking to increase their lead. Sophomore Tommy Stenger had a big gain to move the offense into Brecksville territory. The Greenmen got to the red zone, but the Brecksville defense came up with one of their biggest plays of the game.
Isaac Guzoski and Christopher Soeder came up with a strip sack, and senior Brennan Polak did the rest, scooping up the loose ball and taking it 69 yards to the house. Brecksville drew even at 14 midway through the third quarter.
The Bee defense came up with a big stop on defense, getting the ball back on downs. Brecksville would regain the lead as senior Zach Aquilla rushed for a 17 yard touchdown.
Aurora needed a response on their next drive. Facing fourth down, and already having converted a fake punt run thanks to Carter Fitzgerald, they would go back to the same play. Initially, it appeared that Fitzgerald would be stopped short, but a facemask penalty kept the drive alive.
The Greenmen would continue to move down the field, eventually tying things up thanks to a one-yard touchdown by sophomore Jack Wervey. The extra point was good, knotting things up at 21.
Once again, the special teams came up with another big play, as Jack Rachel recovered the surprise onside kick for the Greenmen.
They were able to get to the Brecksville 15, but turned the ball over on downs. The Bees were unable to respond on their ensuing drive as the clock hit zeroes, forcing overtime.
Aurora won the coin toss, electing to defend, and giving Brecksville the ball. On the second play of the series, defensive back Ryan Ziegler recovered a fumble, giving the Greenmen a chance to win the game on their next possession.
A few plays later, senior Carter Fitzgerald did that, scampering eight yards for the game-winning touchdown, giving Aurora a 27-21 win. He finished with 18 carries for 85 yards.
Brecksville drops to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Suburban League National Division. The Bees travel to Twinsburg to continue Suburban League American Division play next Friday, October 16th.
Aurora improves to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Suburban League National Division. The Greenmen travel to Barberton to continue Suburban League American Division play next Friday, October 16th.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Luke McGovern (Aurora)
The senior athlete, making his return from an early-season injury, got into the end zone twice (one rush, one reception). He had six catches for 39 yards, and a big time reception in overtime.
Maycie Schreiber (Brecksville)
The junior kicker became the first female athlete to score in Brecksville football history with a second quarter extra point. She finished 3-3 on the evening on PAT attempts.
Extended highlights below:
