by AVON, OH – On a Friday night in Avon, the Eagles gave their fans everything they could want to see. Backed by multiple explosive plays, the Eagles throttled Elyria 48-6.
The first half was extremely slow. In fact, the start of the game was a preview for the Elyria offense the rest of the night. Before the ball was even snapped, Elyria was hit with a delay of game. Much more of that was to come.
Neither offense could produce early, and right when it seemed as if Elyria would take a lead, the improbable happened. Surprisingly, the Pioneers lined up for a 44 yard kick, which seemed good in the air, but eventually didn’t have enough leg on it as it hit the crossbar of the field goal.
Finally, pace started to pick up with 6:30 left in the first half. Senior QB Sam DeTillio hit a wide open Braden Fitchko for a 52 yard score.
On the ensuing drive the Eagles defense got a quick stop with less than 5 minutes remaining in the quarter. Running the clock down, Avon drove into Pioneer touchdown and was able to score again. This time, it was Senior running back Gavin Ehrhardt getting the Eagles on the board again 14-0.
While it seemed like Elyria was threatening with less than a minute left, the stingy Eagles defense kept making plays. Back to back sacks from Cole Paonessa (loss of 6) and Austin Mitchell (loss of 8) killed any Pioneer momentum and ended the first half.
Immediately, the high scoring play continued in the second half. From the stands you could tell Elyria star running back Lance Glover was bound to break one free, and he did just that.
5 minutes into the third, Glover legged out a 63 yard touchdown, and Elyria was finally on the board. After a blocked PAT, the score was now 14-6.
On the first play from scrimmage for Avon, DeTillio dropped a dime into the hands of Ethan Holbrook for a pick up of 55. Following the catch was the hurry up offense. Avon did the “hand the ball off to Jakorion Caffey play” the next four snaps, which resulted in another Avon touchdown.
Right after the kickoff, Nolan Good picked off Elyria on the first snap, returning the ball to the two before being shoved out of bounds. Caffey then drilled home his second TD in as many minutes, and after a missed PAT the score was 27-6.
Although the Eagles were rolling, it seemed as if Elyria still had some hope left. The Pioneers were led behind the connection of QB Ryan Klotz and WR BJ Todd who started the drive with a big 45 yard catch and run.
It seemed as if Elyria was down for the count on 4th and 15, but an incredible diving catch from Jasir Lucky kept the drive alive. The gain of 22 put Elyria deep in Eagle territory, but that’s as far as they’d get. The very next play, Senior Nick Fouts laid the boom on Klotz for a 14 yard sack, eventually resulting in a turnover on downs.
The first play of Avon’s drive was a 46 yard dot from DeTillio to Cam Santee, and the Eagles were rolling again. The drive ended with a Gavin Ehrhardt touchdown (and 2 point conversion), breaking the game wide open at 34-6.
While the night got worse for Elyria fans, the night got extremely better for Avon fans. A glimmer of the future was on display for the rest of the fourth quarter as a trio of Sophomores were firing on all cylinders.
QB Nolan Good (yes the same guy who had the big interception), WR Keegan Haessig, and WR Matt Maxey showed Eagles fans what’s to come in the next couple of years.
Good connected with both receivers for exciting 30+ yard touchdowns each, and as time expired the score was 48-6.
The players of the game go to Sam DeTillio (184 yards. 1 TD), Jakorion Caffey (70 yards, 2 TDs), and Nolan Good (2 passing TDs, 1 INT).
With that being said, Lance Glover deserves his respect as well. His night finished with 133 rushing yards and a TD, while averaging 9.5 yards per carry, and he is poised to continue to have a monster senior season.
Bug!