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CHARDON, OH – The Chardon Hilltoppers opened up their 2022-2023 football season in dramatic fashion at home on Friday night against the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs. Just 259 days ago in Canton, the Hiltoppers came out on top against the Badin Rams to claim their second straight state title as well as another undefeated season. Coming in winners of their last 28, Chardon was poised to keep their dominant streak alive and begin the 2022-2023 campaign on a high note.
Olmsted Falls came into tonight’s contest looking to follow up on a 10 win season and a very strong playoff run that was cut short in the 3rd round by the Avon Eagles. The Bulldogs came into Chardon looking to take down the defending state champs and start their season 1-0 on a positive note as well.
It was no surprise that Chardon’s emphasis was on the running game early as they quickly racked up rush after rush in the first half. Andrew Bruce, junior running back for the Hilltoppers was huge for the team as he rushed for 157 yards on just 6 carries while finding the endzone twice on two huge 60+ yard scampers in the second and third quarter.
In the opening series Olmsted Falls struggled to move the ball as they were quick to go three and out. The Hilltoppers’ stout defense would set the tone early as their front four constantly had pressure on sophomore quarterback James Rosol from the first snap. A change of possession really didn’t change much early for Chardon as they struggled to get going in their first series with the ball as well. After one first down, three straight run plays would lead to different results as Chardon would be forced to punt after a strong stand early from the Bulldogs
However on their second series, Olmsted Falls would gain traction as senior running back Rocco Conti got the ball moving as he rushed for 7 yards, 4 yards and broke away for a big 23 yard gain. However, the Bulldogs didn’t see much else in that series as they were forced to punt three plays later.
Late in the second as Chardon was driving, junior running back Andrew Bruce found a wide open hole on the left side of Chardon’s offensive line and hit it immediately. He was gone! A 66- yard touchdown was the result of the play and that is what ultimately put Chardon up 7-0 with 1:30 left in the half. The Bulldogs would run out the clock to end the half down by seven.
After a very physical and hard nosed half by both teams, Chardon opened the second half with the ball. If the game was going to follow similar trends in the second half, both teams were in for a clash in the second half.
Chardon opened up the new half with three straight run plays; two from quarterback Alex Henry and one from Andrew Bruce the running back. The Bulldogs defense would stand their ground once again and force the Hilltoppers to punt once more. On Olmsted Falls’ inaugural drive of the half, sophomore quarterback back James Rosol would get his troops going with a big 23-yard pass to Gavin Moore that would lead to a 9-yard rush by Rosol again the next play. However after two rushes for no gain and an incomplete pass by Rosol, the Bulldogs would be forced to punt yet again.
After a quick Chardon three and out, the Hilltoppers’ punt would lead to a costly muffed ball by the Bulldogs giving the ball right back to Chardon in good field position. On the first play of Chardons next drive, pressure from Dillion Foulkes would lead to a sack on Alex Henry knocking the Hilltoppers back to their own 38-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, standout senior running back Andrew Bruce broke away from the Bulldogs defense once more, but this time for 62 yards, giving the Hilltoppers a 14-0 advantage after a Joseph Evan’s PAT.
Going into the fourth, the Bulldogs would get the ball back down two scores with no momentum in their favor. That is until senior running back Rocco Conti got the ball moving and after just three runs and one pass, the Bulldogs were set up with a first and goal from the six-yard-line. On 3rd and goal from the one, tight end Colin Singleton would recover Rocco Conti’s fumble in the endzone and bring the Bulldogs within 7.
On the next drive, senior quarterback Alex Henry continued his productive night on the ground converting a big 3rd down and 3 with 8:40 left in the game. The Hilltoppers would continue to run the ball down into Olmsted Falls territory, however the Bulldogs defense would ultimately find a way to get a stop with 5:08 left in the fourth. On fourth down Chardon jumped offsides, backing them up to the Olmsted Falls 29-yard-line forcing them to try a 47-yard field goal. Joseph Evans missed the kick wide left, giving the ball back into the hands of Rosol and the Bulldogs offense.
On the next drive, Olmsted Falls would be faced with a 4th and 14 on their own 30 with just 3:22 left in the game. In a heave of desperation, James Rosol threw an interception to Trey Liebhardt giving the Hilltoppers possession and a first down with a little over 3 minutes left in regulation. After three runs, the Hilltoppers would be unsuccessful in converting a first down and be forced to try a field goal yet again. Joseph Evans’ kick missed again, giving the ball back to Olmsted Falls with just 1:12 left.
On fourth down backed up Rosol would roll out to his side line and be chased down by Alex Kisley securing the sack as well as the 29th straight win for the Hilltoppers and sending Olmsted Falls home 0-1.
Tonight’s player of the game is none other than star junior running back, Andrew Bruce of Chardon as he rushed for 157 yards on 6 carries for two huge touchdown runs. Averaging over 26 yards per carry on the night, Bruce looks to continue to find seams in the defense and continue his dominance on the ground in the weeks to come.
Next week the Hillltoppers look to win once again, this time against an out of state opponent from New Jersey, the Camden Panthers. A game that kicks off on Saturday, August 29th at 5 p.m. at The Pro Football Hall Of Fame, in Canton Ohio. The Bulldogs of Olmsted Falls look to get back to their winning ways as they hit the road for their week 2 matchup against Brunswick next Friday at 7pm.
