by North Ridgeville, OH- There was a movie many years ago starring the late great Yul Brenner, The Ten Commandments. One of his most famous quotes in that movie was “ So let it be written, so let it be done.”
The Avon Eagles tonight mirrored that quote to a tee by reminding everyone that they are the cream of the crop in an impressive 20-3 statement victory over Avon Lake to secure their third consecutive Regional title and move on to Canton for the Division II State Semifinals.
The Eagles will face Massillon Washington who defeated Archbishop Hoban 17-14 earlier this evening.
Avon Head Coach Mike Elder pregame spoke about how everyone was doubting his team. Too many injuries they said, not enough depth they said. Avon just went out and showed their mettle, their toughness and now they get the chance to get the big one.
The Shoremen had a perfect opportunity, one of the top defenses in the state, they were primed to go to the State finals for the first time since 2005. Authors of 6 shutouts this season, they felt they had the upper hand this time over their arch rivals, but it was not meant to be.
The night belonged to both defenses. Avon showed theirs was every bit as good. Not withstanding, Shoremen star RB Gage Duesler ran for 116 yards on 14 first half carries, out gaining the entire Avon team, but the Eagle defense made the big stops when they had to.
The only Avon Lake points came on their first possession. After an Avon punt, the Shoremen went 47 yards, mostly on Duesler runs and settled for a Harry Hebert 36 yard field goal.
Avon knotted the score after a flurry of punts by both teams when CB Mitchell Dupras intercepted a pass and set the Eagles up at the Avon Lake 38. The Eagles could get no closer than the Shoremen 15 and settled for a 31 yard FG by Nate Vakos.
With 2:30 left in the half, Avon Lake drove to the Avon 16 and the usually automatic Hebert missed a 33 yard attempt that gave Avon momentum going into the locker room tied at three.
The second half was an example of what this game was, which defense cracked first. The two teams traded punts and at the five minute mark Avon took over at their own 5. Avon methodically moved down field behind Joey Lance and Devon Hunter.
On a second and four from their own 42, Lance optioned to the right broke containment and scampered 58 yards with the go ahead score just before the end of the third, and Avon took a 10-3 lead into the final quarter.
That is when the Avon defense knew this one was theirs. After a three and out, they marched to the Avon Lake 9 where Vakos kicked a 25 yarder to extend the lead to 13-3. The back breaker happened on the ensuing drive when Mike Matlak picked off QB Michael Corbo and raced 67 yards untouched, for the game’s final score.
In a losing effort, Duesler racked up 137 yards on 18 carries but only 21 in the second half. Corbo added 56 on the ground and 107 through the air. The biggest problem for the Shoremen not only this night but in the first encounter versus the Eagles were the total amount of penalty yards.
After the game Shoremen Head Coach Matt Kostelnik reiterated that in the two games against Avon, they had 250 yards in penalties. He stressed you have no chance to beat a team of Avon’s caliber giving them all those opportunities.
Hunter ground out 100 yards rushing for Avon on 25 tough carries, Lance rushed for 120 yards on 15 carries. Avon QB Chase Myers, a sophomore, was limited and only attempted 5 passes, completing two for 21 yards.
The Shoremen end their season at 11-2 but the future is bright indeed for Coach Kostelnik and there is no doubt that the program is in great hands and will be a team to be reckoned with moving forward.
Avon, 13-0, will begin preparations for their third straight Division II final four matchup, this time they face the unbeaten Massillon Tigers.
