by OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio – A Jackson Blodgett interception in the closing moments, sealed the Avon Eagles 35-32 victory tonight as they capitalized on a rare Olmsted Falls mistake. Bulldog quarterback Charlie Ciolek played a near perfect game, making one wise decision after another, but that one pass late was the one mistake that he just couldn’t make.
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The game was thrilling and lived up to the hype of a heavyweight super fight. After Avon scored to make it 8-7 late in the first quarter, the largest point differential from that point was four. The game also featured 7 lead changes.
It lived up to the hype and kept fans glued to very last second. At a time where people need a distraction from reality and the constant gloom and doom of the local and national news, this group of young men gave them exactly that!
This is why we wanted High School sports back so badly, this is what these kids need. Win or lose, none of them will ever forget this game, and neither will we!
Avon Eagle running back Devon Hunter came in as a player to watch, and he didn’t disappoint. This Mac Truck performed at a high-octane level all night long. Hunter rebounded from an early fumble to rush for 214 yards on 28 carries, scoring twice. He also caught one pass and it was the big one, the final go-ahead touchdown toss from 18 yards to deliver the win for Avon.
Niko Pappas had a big game last week against Avon Lake, and picked up where he left off this week with three touchdown passes, and 191 yards passing on 13 of 21 passing with a pick. Pappas was held in check with his legs however, as the powerful Olmsted Falls d-line held him to 21 yards on the ground on 10 carries.
His main targets in the air were Mike Ptacek with 2 catches for 17 yards and a touchdown. Also, Kam Erskine who came up big with several key catches on both fourth quarter Eagle scoring drives.
Erskine tallied 78 yards receiving on 7 catches. Mike Matlak only had one catch, but it was a very big one, a 55-yard touchdown bomb in which he had his man beat by 10 yards to begin the Eagle scoring.
For the Bulldogs, as mentioned, it was Charlie Ciolek having one of his best games ever as he was cold and calculated with the ball, and showed the SWC that he can burn you with his arm as well as his legs.
Ciolek threw for 202 yards on 13 of 22 passing with a touchdown, fumble and interception. He also ran for 77 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. He rattled off a 46 yard jaunt, as well as a 13 yard touchdown run as well.
His main targets were Jimmy Cooney who caught 3 balls for 71 yards and the games opening score. Rocco Conti once again did it all tonight, the speedy tailback ran for 26 yards on 4 carries, but did his damage through the air as he caught 5 balls for 110 yards and set up several scores.
Andrew Parkowski had a unique night, as he was involved in several big plays including a 2-point conversion and two touchdown runs. He finished with 49 yards on 12 carries but accounted for 14 big points.
Coach Tom Deluca kept to his plan to spread the runs around however, as no less than 7 Bulldogs accounted for rushing yards. This included 30 from Jack Pinchek, 5 from Michael Candow, 20 from Ryan Feskanich and 3 from Clay Vormelker.
A 15-yard jump ball in the corner of the endzone from Ciolek to Cooney began the scoring early into the first quarter. Coach Tom DeLuca surprised everyone with a sneak two point conversion as Andrew Parkowski rumbled through to make it 8-0 Bulldogs, less than 5 minutes into the game.
Pappas and the Eagles wasted little time responding as it was only a few moments later that Pappas hooked up with Matt Matlak from 55 yards out. Matlak was wide open as he sprinted past the defense to cut into the lead at 8-7.
The Eagles would take the lead in the second quarter as Hunter rebounded form an early fumble to score his first touchdown. This one from 5 yards out.
The Bulldogs would respond and recapture the lead on their next possession as Ciolek dashed in from 13 yards out. What was remarkable about this play was the fact that Ciolek got absolutely blasted at the goal line, but held onto the ball for the score. This gave the Bulldogs the lead back at 15-14.
Pappas would then get picked off, setting up a short field for the Bulldogs. They couldn’t get back in the endzone, but a 25-yard Drew Kanaba Field Goal extended their lead to 18-14. Avon refused to flinch and less than 2 minutes later they once again took the lead.
This time it was a 65 yard sprint by Hunter with Bulldog tacklers bouncing off him at the line of scrimmage before he broke free to daylight giving the Eagles a 21-18 lead at the half.
The Bulldogs defense would then step it up at the close of the second quarter with a three and out to shut down the Eagles attack and keep it a three-point game .
They then turned it up a notch in the third quarter as they continued to keep the Eagles in check not allowing them to score the entire third quarter. This included a massive goal line stand after a Parkowski 3-yard touchdown run had given the Bulldogs a 25-21 lead.
The Eagles proved last week that they are never fazed or rattled, as they once again showed composure coming from behind twice in the fourth quarter tonight to win. A 9-yard Pappas to Ptacek pass gave the Eagles the lead at 28-25.
The Bulldogs would take it back with a Parkowski 3-yard touchdown rumble at 32 -28, before the Pappas to Hunter 18-yard touchdown toss finished the scoring at 35-32 and gave the Eagles their second come from behind victory in two weeks.
Next week Vince McKee and Cole McDaniel will be in Avon Lake to broadcast that game as the Midview Middies visit the Shoremen.
Players of the game
Avon RB Devon Hunter had 214 yards on 28 carries, scoring twice and the one touchdown catch for 18 yards to win the game.
Bulldog QB Charlie Ciolek with 202 yards on 13 of 22 passing with a touchdown, fumble and interception. He also ran for 77 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.
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