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The Avon Lake Shoremen squared off against conference opponent North Ridgeville this past Friday evening. Poised to make the postseason for a third straight year Avon Lake needed to take care of business at home to give themselves a stronger chance to host a playoff game. It was an unusual series of events, but the red and yellow won 49-27.
One thing the home team did well this season was getting off to quick starts. Dual threat quarterback Jake DePaul helped them reach that quota.
He would rattle off runs of 10, 18, and 22. The rushing attack put the finishing touches on the first possession of the game with Jason Krukowski punching it in from seven yards out.
Boat horns rang out into the clear night sky and the Shoremen were up early.
North Ridgeville headed out to the field for their first crack at the football. That opportunity to answer back would slip through their fingers though. Senior defensive lineman Joe Lubertozzi recovered a fumble at the 38 yard line of the Rangers. The young man under center Jacob Madis would be responsible for coughing it up.
Avon Lake would take over at their own 20 after forcing a punt near the end of the first quarter.
DePaul would flash his speed again, this time sprinting for 38 yards to the 10 yard line of the visiting blue and yellow. Moments later, Krukowski would take it in again over the goal line for a 3 yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing drive for the Rangers, read options would be utilized heavily. Neither of them would gain any positive yardage. The first one lost five while the second drove them back another six.
With Avon up two scores, they were looking to add to their lead.
DePaul would spot Isaac Richardson down field. It was a perfectly placed ball off the fake handoff, but it would drop to the turf.
A few ticks passed and head coach Matt Kostelnik would draw up another play action. This one would be successful and be caught by Nathan Schillinger for a 53 yard grab over the middle.
Jeremy Santiago capped off the drive this time with a three yard run to extend the margin.
With North Ridgeville in a deep hole, a touchdown would be the only option for them to hang around. Their prayers would be heard after being put in another third and long situation. Madis would roll to his right and float one over to Kosta Thrasivoulou for a spectacular one-handed snag. He beat the defenders down the field for a 63 yard sprint to the house.
More luck would follow for Ridgeville on the kick off as well. Dylan Reed recovered the onside kick at the Avon Lake 37.
However, a 4 & 2 would stare the visitors right between the eyes. The Shoremen defense would stand pat and drag Madis to the ground short a yard of the sticks.
A Shoremen punt down to the one yard line put the visitors in another tricky spot. With their backs to the wall, the home team suffocated the Rangers and forced a punt. It proved to be one more big blow.
DePaul lobbed a beauty to Schillinger and he also did a great job of boxing out his defender to haul in a 13 yard touchdown catch.
The next 17 seconds though were one to remember. 14 seconds, one play, and 70 yards would be all Ridgeville needed to walk into the endzone. It came courtesy of a double pass. The Madis, to Steinmetz, to Worcester connection would work to perfection.
Chunk plays crept the Rangers even closer right at the start of the third too.
On this occasion, Madis would find Thrasivoulou wide open for 75 jaunt into the Avon Lake endzone.
The defense joined in on the festivities. They would stop the Shoremen after North Ridgeville made a mistake of recovering an onside kick too early. It felt like the Rangers were about to knot this game up. But, that magical run would come to a dead stop.
One young man would take over the game over the next 50 seconds and ultimately put it out of reach. That was senior linebacker Jamie Heron. He came off the edge and blocked the visitors punt and returned it for six. He was not done though.
Madis would toss the game-sealing pick six into the mitts of number 43. They would go up 42-21 with 6:37 left in the third.
It was a wild game with many crazy plays and sequences. Avon Lake got it done though as they head to the playoffs again looking to make some noise.
For most of the night, the home team played a fairly simple game mostly pounding the rock with DePaul, Krukowski, and Santiago.
It is possible they did not want to give too much away in terms of their game plan and strategy for whoever they face next weekend.
Another notable point of order, star wide receiver Matthew Stuewe was out tonight with a hand injury. Avon Lake staff mentioned he might make his return for next week’s matchup after being out a few weeks.
While Jake DePaul had some nice throws his legs were what shined the brightest. He totaled 106 yards on 13 carries. He also added a passing TD.
Santiago and Krukowski pitched in too. They combined for 82 total rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The player of the game award goes to Jamie Hero(n). He was the difference maker. When they had to pull away he made back to back plays that swung the momentum right back to the Shoremen. The pick six and punt block return were key.
On the opposite sideline the lone ranger that stood out was Thrasivoulou. He had two touchdown grabs. One went for 63 and the other 75. He also tacked on a scoop and six off of a bad snap that was also 75 yards in garbage time.
It was not a pretty game but it sure was a rollercoaster. The Shoremen finish their 2021 regular season campaign going 7-3 and 4-3 in the conference. They await their first postseason foe and stadium location. The North Ridgeville Rangers end their year losing six straight with a final record of 3-7. They also ended with a 1-6 record in conference play.
Player of the Game: Jamie Heron- Punt block and 21 yard return for TD and 33 yard pick six
