by Avon Lake hosted the Avon Eagles football team last night at Memorial Stadium in Avon Lake. The two rivals have a storied history of hard fought games, and epic battles. The Avon Lake Shoremen were looking for revenge from last year’s Regional Playoff loss.
In the First quarter, the Avon Lake Shoremen Came out firing on all cylinders. Running plays from Senior QB Mike Corbo and RB Mason Wheeler set the tone for the game early on. A 62 yard Scramble from Corbo, and then capping the drive was Wheeler with an 8 yard touchdown run.
After a short drive for the Eagles, Shoremen punt returner Jared Krakowski rambled for a 61-yard touchdown and the Avon Eagles seemed shocked and stunned at this point the game was 14-0 Shoremen so early into it.
On the next possession Avon’s Senior QB Niko Pappas led the Eagles to a touchdown with his legs and with his arm. Great passes to seniors Mike Matlack, and a 27 yard TD catch from Michael Ptacek, put the Eagles on the scoreboard for the first time on the night.
On the very next possession the Shoremen answered back with another touchdown when their offensive line created huge holes. Talented running back Mason Wheeler read the holes beautifully and started producing huge plays. The drive was capped by a Wheeler 2 yard touchdown run.
Another drive from the Shoremen late in the first half failed to produce a TD, but they salvaged a field goal from Owen Wiley with just 3 seconds left in the half taking a 24 to 7 lead into the locker room. Corbo and Wheeler had over one hundred yards each of offensive running plays to lead the Avon Lake squad.
In the third quarter a couple stalled drives by both teams seemed to favor Avon Lake who was sitting on a big lead. The Eagles and Pappas kept plugging away and never seemed to panic knowing they had time, and believing in their athletic talent. This led to a 24 yard field goal with 3:04 left in the third quarter, and the Shoreman’s lead was now 24 to 10.
Avon’s Niko Pappas used his athletic skills with his arm, and his ability to scramble and create big plays in the fourth quarter. Even with a tipped ball interception of Pappas by the Shoremen CB Mitchell Fedders in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Eagles believed in their talent and never wavered.
There were no worries as Pappas took over the fourth quarter with big plays capped off by a 30 yard TD pass to Senior WR Mike Matlack who was starting to make a huge difference for the Eagles. With 5:07 left in the game the Shoremen lead was now down to 24-17.
With costly penalties and mistakes late in the fourth quarter the Shoremen were forced to punt from their own end zone. Despite a very favorable bounce on the punt, the Eagles had the ball on the home team’s 40 yard line, and momentum seemed to be with them.
With just over three minutes left in the game the Eagles pulled off their first trick play of the game. A reverse to WR Mike Matlack surprised the Shoremen and netted a huge 15 yard gain. The momentum was now with QB Pappas as he took a sweep left into the end zone with just 1:39 left in the game, tied at 24 apiece.
In the fourth quarter with RB Wheeler on the sideline, Avon Lake was still determined to win the game with a great catch for 43 yards by Krukowski, driving late in the quarter. The Shoremen capped the series with Corbo throwing and a great sideline catch from WR Sam Mikolich.
This set up a field goal try with just two seconds left on the clock. Wiley’s field goal try from 30 yards was a heartbreaker as it bounced off the left upright sending the game into overtime. Deadlocked at 24 points apiece at the end of regulation.
In the overtime both teams appeared to be playing it safe, and both kickers were able to convert field goals and the score was now 27-27.
The Shoremen kicker Owen Wiley was amazing in the second OT despite some costly mistakes, by hitting a 39 yard field goal to put Avon Lake up 30 to 27.
Niko Pappas, despite two plays of no yardage, threw a brilliant pass on third down over the middle to open receiver Senior Kam Erskine for the 20 yard Overtime Touchdown. The Eagle’s bench erupted with joy as they had pulled off a stunning comeback.
The home team Shoremen were stunned and disappointed. They gave everything they had on the field opening night. Still they walked away with a 33-30 overtime loss to crosstown rival Avon in an epic battle.
Player of the game: Avon – Niko Pappas, Honorable Mention- Mike Matlack and Mike Ptacek
Player of the game Avon Lake: Mason Wheeler, Honorable Mention- Jared Krukowski, and kicker Owen Wiley
Article written by Mark Theis
I love you brother, this shows your passion for everything you do.
Bradley Theis