by Akron, Ohio – In a sweltering state of affairs Saturday afternoon, Austintown Fitch prevailed over host Buchtel, 44-7.
Fitch senior Treavion Davis returned the opening kickoff 65 yards to the end zone, giving the Falcons an early 7-0 lead 15 seconds into the game.
After a Buchtel punt, the Falcon offense found the end zone once again, as Deon’Dray Richard rushed for a three yard touchdown. This increased the Fitch lead to 14-0 with 6:39 left in the first.
Sophomore running back Deon’Dray Richard rushed for his second touchdown of the game from 21 yards out, increasing the Fitch lead to 21-0. They would recover an onside kick to take back possession, looking to add to their lead. However, a Davanzo Tate fourth-down pass was intercepted by Buchtel’s Quadire Harvey, and the Griffins took over.
The Falcon defense made a stop, forcing Buchtel to punt. The punt attempt was caught by the wind, taking a hop backwards to the Buchtel 20 yard line. From there, Treavion Davis picked up the loose ball and took it to the house. Fitch led 28-0 at the 4:15 mark of the second quarter.
Sophomore Brayden Bryant, who has a pair of offers from Kentucky and Toledo, returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. This increased the lead to 35-0 with 2:21 left in the half.
Fitch added a safety when a snap ended up sailing past Stevie Diamond and landing in the back of the end zone. They would go into the half leading 37-0.
The second half began with a running clock due to the 30+ point margin.
Buchtel got on the board when senior quarterback Stevie Diamond found Demetrice Coates for a 43-yard touchdown with 5:01 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons would add a fourth-quarter score when Collin Kalaher found Brayden Bryant for a 24-yard touchdown reception. This would cap the scoring for the afternoon.
Austintown Fitch (5-0) travels to Youngstown Ursuline on Friday, September 27th.
Akron Buchtel (1-4) travels to Akron Firestone on Friday, September 27th, to begin Akron City Series conference play.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Austintown Fitch Falcons special teams unit
The Falcons special teams scored on a kickoff return, a punt return, a blocked punt, and added a safety on the afternoon.
