by FULL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS GAME CAN BE SEEN HERE –
This game was a first-class example of how great both programs are, both head coaches are, and how great both communities are, it was the kind of game you dream of playing in as a kid as the Avon Eagles hung on for a thrilling 33-23 victory. At the end of the day, no matter the close calls, and things that could have gone different, this game is for the kids and the young student athletes to feel special for a couple of hours every Friday in front of their peers and parents. I’ll say it again, this game was an absolute gem showcasing heart, passion and the will to succeed no matter what the odds may be.
Avon overcame an injury to starting quarterback Nolan Good and a tremendous ball control style offense for the win. Olmsted Falls refused to back down and took chance after chance, and quite frankly, they were a mere inch if not split seconds from converting a fourth and one and then later on, an onside kick they appeared to recover cleanly at first glance. Again, that is good coaching, execution and playing hard whistle to whistle. Falls played fearless, Avon kept their composure no matter went wrong, and both teams continued to make northeast Ohio proud!
Backup 10th grade Avon quarterback Blake Elder has Eagle football in his blood and showed it tonight as he completed two huge touchdown passes in the second half to lead the Eagles as he passed for 116 yards on 4 of 7 throwing. Nolan Good threw for 84 yards before the injury.
The main receiving targets for Good and Elder were Matt Maxey who went off 114 yards on 8 catches. Cole Kepner caught 1 pass, for a huge touchdown of 78 yards.
For the Bulldogs, they did what they do better than anyone, run the ball. Jimmy Rosol took off for 28 yards rushing with two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown. Owen Singelton went for 68 yards on 17 carries while Derek Neckar rushed for 64 yards on 12 carries. Trent Hrabnicky rushed for 33 yards on 8 totes of the rock. Logan Connelly caught a pass for 26 yards and also threw the only Bulldog touchdown pass of the game.
Jakorian Caffey continued his incredible year as he went for 104 yards on 15 carries with 2 touchdowns.
Olmsted Falls used a masterful attack on offense to soak up the entire first quarter clock with a tremendous running attack. The Bulldogs had the ball all but 3 plays as a barrage of runs moved the chains methodically as they converted third down after third down. Their second drive began with 6:53 left in the corner and had the ball when the second quarter began on the same drive. The Bulldogs eventually cashed it in with points as Jimmy Rosol took the second play of the second quarter in for a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Bulldogs.
After a failed fourth down attempt left the Eagles empty, they got the ball back about 3 minutes later and went back to work late into the second quarter. The Eagles piled up a few first downs quickly to get inside the redzone. The Eagles converted a huge fourth down with a 16-yard swing pass to Caffey. They would settle for a 26-yard Owen Warrick field goal to make it 7-3 Bulldogs at the half.
The Eagles turned to backup quarterback Blake Elder to start the second half as Nolan Good got a bit banged up. They immediately charged down the field after great starting field position near midfield. After picking up a few first downs, they faced a 4rth and 5 and attempted a 36-yard field goal, in which Warrick nailed to close the gap to 7-6 with 9:52 to go in the third.
Late into the third quarter, Olmsted Falls Bulldog coach Tom DeLuca went for it on fourth and 1 from their own 27-yard line. They ran the option and got the play off but the refs blew the whistle a millisecond before Rosol pulled the ball back from the tailback and took off down the sidelines for 40 yards. It didn’t matter, the refs insisted he was down and handed the ball back to the Eagles in one of the most bang bang calls I’ve ever seen in any sport at any level.
As fate would have it, the call came back and bit the Bulldogs instantly as Caffey scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 7-yard run for the Eagles, giving them their first lead of the game at 12-7. The quarter ended by that same score with the Bulldogs driving.
The Bulldogs didn’t blink and came growling back ripping off chunks to get the ball inside the 15 of the Eagles. It was one smash play after another as the Bulldogs got it to the goal line. They needed a touchdown to take the lead but got stopped three straight times. Facing a fourth and goal from the two, the Bulldogs called on a pop pass as Connelly found Rosol with a little razzle dazzle to take the lead! The Neckar 2-point conversion was good, and with 8:59 to go, the Bulldogs led 15-12.
The Avon Eagles didn’t stay down long, a 78-yard strike right over the middle from Blake Elder to Cole Kepner gave the Eagles the lead right back at 19-15 with 7:55 to play. The Bulldogs remained fearless and took another huge chance, going for a fake punt from their own 38-yard line, on a fourth and 2 and not getting it, giving the ball back to Avon.
It took one play for Avon to make the Bulldogs pay for the risk, with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Elder to Matt Maxey. This score out of nowhere made it 26-15 Avon. Two straight Eagles plays, for over 100 yards passing from Elder to Kepner for 14 points in a little under 3 minutes. It was now Avon 26-15 with 5:18 to go.
Olmsted Falls wasn’t going away without a fight, as they wasted no time answering. This time around the quick score drive was capped off with a Rosol 9-yard touchdown run, and then the two point conversion was good from there. It was now 26-23 Avon with 3:52 to go. Falls then appeared to recover the onside kick but apparently the ball was touched before the 10-yard mark, keeping the ball with the Eagles. It was another bang bang call. Wow!
This call led to a personal foul call, allowing the Eagles to start deep in Bulldog territory and instantly cash in with a 27-yard touchdown run by Caffey. This gigantic momentum swing extended the Eagle lead to 33-23 with 3 minutes to play. Avon hung on for the win to advance and will play next week for the Regional Championship against Highland.
Both of the Bangbang calls were some of the worst calls I have ever seen. The refs got escorted out of the game by the police for a reason. Watch videos of both the plays and you will see the bulldogs got screwed.
Here is full video proof of what actually happened. There is no disputing this. https://youtu.be/yBs67MWkCbg?si=7HWmlQfuEVY0ecaP
15-0
The decision to go for that 4th and 1 from their own 27 yard line with the lead and your defense playing “lights out” was horrific. The refs blowing the play dead prematurely (also bad) is providing great cover for poor coaching. They put the team in a horrible position. Those kids battled and were let down by their coaches. Fourteen points off of 2 failed 4th down conversions in their own territory.
Here is full video proof of what actually happened. There is no disputing this. https://youtu.be/yBs67MWkCbg?si=7HWmlQfuEVY0ecaP
My entire family shines Bulldog Blue and Gold since my son Nick played years ago. I have also been a fan of Vince McKee’s writing since his NEOSI days. I’m disturbed to see some of the action on twitter against Vince and his staff by what is a 99% normal fan base in Falls. I hope Vince and staff ignores the hate they are currently receiving; this is not the Bulldogs I know. I bought Vinces’s book, and he paints the most beautiful picture of our town. We should be thanking him, not scorning him, shameful!
As for the game, the refs blew it. It even says in the article, “Bang Bang”, those calls should go towards the offense each time, just like in baseball when a tie goes to the runner. Bottom line, my Bulldogs got screwed yet again. Keep your chins up fella’s, and focus on the good, not any kind of hate being taught to you by “Los”. A pretty lazy way to coach kids if you ask me. Focus on X’s and O’s, not painting a great guy to be a villain that he isn’t.
The Bulldogs are a first class team, no need for police escort unless tge situation was reversed!
Here is full video proof of what actually happened. There is no disputing this. https://youtu.be/yBs67MWkCbg?si=7HWmlQfuEVY0ecaP
I hope when the films are rewatched, Avon realizes that the win was a terrible mistake! Don’t blame it on the Bulldogs coaches, the refs were way off in TWO instances!
The one everyone seems most upset about is the 4th down that OF tried to convert in the first half. The runners forward progress was stopped and he was being driven backwards. The play was over. Heads-up effort by their QB but the refs were correct to blow the whistle. Have to agree with the other poster – boneheaded decision to go for it there.
I’d really like to see a replay of the onside kick OF recovered. It sure looked like an Avon athlete touched it first making it a live ball.
Here is full video proof of what actually happened. There is no disputing this. https://youtu.be/yBs67MWkCbg?si=7HWmlQfuEVY0ecaP
Here is full video proof of what actually happened. There is no disputing this. https://youtu.be/yBs67MWkCbg?si=7HWmlQfuEVY0ecaP