by Avon Lake kicked off their Friday night lights home opener with a 19-14 win over Strongsville. The competition was fierce and the atmosphere was bursting with excitement for the return of high school football. Both teams were scoreless for the first quarter of the game, stuck in a defensive battle.
The Mustangs drew first blood in the second quarter with a Beard touchdown scramble as the quarterback avoided traffic to find the endzone with his legs. After trailing 7-0, the Shoremen rallied back with a touchdown drive of their own. The score was a pretty one as quarterback Affolter was rushed out of the pocket, scrambled to his right and tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Carter Birk while being tackled. It was a tremendous move by Affolter to keep the play alive and find the open man while being tackled to the ground.
Tied at seven to start the second half, the Shoremen took their first lead of the game as a 54-yard pitch and catch from Affolter to McCrum placed Avon Lake in tremendous scoring position. They capitalized shortly after when Bova scored on a run from 4 yards out. The extra point conversion attempt was no good, and the Shoremen clung to a 13-7 advantage.
The Shoremen had issues all night with special teams, as they fumbled the second half kickoff a little bit before that, and then later in the third quarter after they were up 13-7, the botched a punt, and it was scooped up by the Mustangs who took it in for a touchdown and reclaimed the lead 14-13.
Down 14-13, opening night at home, the Shoremen decided it was the perfect time for a dramatic comeback and that is exactly what they did. Following Luke Stuewes second interception of the night, the Shoremen cashed in again on the legs of Bova. His second score of the night gave the Shoremen a 19-14 lead, in which they held on to for good to capture the victory.
Jake Bova was as a force to be reckoned with. The Mustang’s offense put up a fight, but ultimately the Shoremen’s defense was the higher power of this one. The Shoremen have been known for defense for quite some time now, and tonight was no different.
The Avon Lake Player of the Game Luke Stuewe with two clutch interceptions.
The Strongsville Player of the game is special teams with a score and Strongsville PK Vincent Roncone – 2 for 2 on PAT’s and 3 Touchbacks!
