by AVON, OH- Backed by a full stadium Friday night, The Avon Eagles pulled out a 35-14 playoff win against North Royalton. Behind studs like Sam DeTillio, Jakorion Caffey, and Gavin Ehrhardt, the Bears were no match for the Eagle offense.
Excitement from both sides started off the game just 1 minute in. As Avon picked up 30 yards quickly, on the fourth play of the game a fumble was recovered by the Bears.
Grinding away at the Avon defense, North Royalton was able to capitalize off of the Eagles’ mistake. Led by running back Cody Miller, the Bears drove into Avon territory. With 5:41 left in the first quarter, Junior QB Joseph Kinney hit his wideout Paul Kalevakis for an 9-yard score.
As the quarter continued, the Eagle offense couldn’t get anything going. That narrative however would change in the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Senior Sam DeTillio led the offense downfield. Behind their ground and pound style, Gavin Ehrhardt’s big half started. The Senior banged in his eighth touchdown of the year to tie the game at 7 with 10 left to go in the half.
As the quarter continued, it was all Eagles.
A quick stop by the Avon defense got the ball back with 8:36 remaining. On a huge third and ten on the NRHS 36, DeTillio found Ethan Holbrook open, who then proceeded to juke his way to a pickup of 18. The ensuing play, DeTillio took a 20-yard QB-keeper to the house.
With 6 minutes left, Avon led 14-7.
As North Royalton was threatening towards the end of the half, Gavin Ehrhardt again took the wind out of their sails. His 10-yard sack with less than a minute set up a fourth and long with 3 seconds left. Bears coach Nick Ciulli opted to attempt a 52-yard field goal, but it was left short.
As the second half started, Avon kept the momentum flowing. As Sam DeTillio ran all over the North Royalton defense, the drive ended with another score. With 3:21 to go in the quarter, DeTillio found Braden Fitchko for an 18-yard touchdown.
The ensuing kickoff, NRHS star running back set up the offense perfectly with a monster return. The very next play, Kinney hit his main man Kalevakis in stride for a gain of 26.
Deep into Avon territory, the fun would stop there.
Looking to score six, Kinney looked lofted a ball to the endzone, but was intercepted by Matt Fischer.
After the pick, the ground and pound trio of DeTillio, Ehrhardt, and Jakorion Caffey proceeded to move the ball down field quickly.
Moving into NRHS territory the Eagles were forced with a fourth and inches. DeTillio’s QB sneak ended up going for 11, and Avon was poised for another score. Behind two nice Caffey runs, the score was 28-7 as Caffey banged in his first of the night.
With less than 10 to go, the Bears needed to make something happen quickly. That would not happen. The Eagles on the other hand, would.
A quick three and out by the Avon defense was followed by a huge play. The first play of their drive, DeTillio found Keegan Haessig (who quietly had a tremendous night) wide open for a 57-yard touchdown dagger. Haessig’s second catch of the night put him at 81 yards and one beautiful touchdown.
With 8 minutes to go, Avon led 35-7.
As the night continued, the Bears continued to give the ball to Cody Miller. Poised to break one free at any moment, that moment happened with 5 minutes left. The star running back took a 65-yard run to the crib.
Avon would then run the clock, ending the game 35-14.
Tonight’s players of the night were Sam DeTillio and Jakorion Caffey of Avon, and Cody Miller of North Royalton
DeTillio’s huge night was made up of 152 passing yards, 148 rushing yards, and 3 total touchdowns. Caffey went for 113 rushing yards and a touchdown. On the other end, Miller had a stat line of 167 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Feel like just by reading this I was revisiting the game in person! Awesome job
Thank you I appreciate that!
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😊 Love it