by Westlake, OH – The Brecksville 30-3 opening round win at Westlake tonight was a trip to the Beach, Eli Beach that is as the running back had a monster night with 161 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was the consistent force the Bees needed to win.
Beach wasn’t the only running back to sting the Demons tonight, as Lucas Reasor also rushed for 49 yards on 6 carries, looking good every time he touched it. Even freshman Zachary Aquila saw some action as he picked up 44 yards on the ground.
Bee quarterback Colin Seibart went a very modest 4 of 11 for 91 yards with a touchdown. His main threat was Kyle Keener who caught 4 passes for 91 yards and the touchdown. The Bee defense and special teams was the story of the night as they created two turnovers on kickoffs, and also blocked a punt that set up a score. The also held the Demons without a touchdown for the first time all season.
Cooper Rummel picked off a Colin Seibert pass on the second play of the game and took it back to the Bees 13-yard line. The Demons couldn’t capitalize with much however, as a three and out led to a 25-yard field goal from Sean Evilsizer.
The Bees wasted no time responding on their very next drive. They put together a 7-play drive, moving the ball 78 yards. The big hitter came on a 40-yard strike from Colin Seibert to Kyle Keener. They capped it off with an Eli Beach 8-yard touchdown run. Beach had 6 carries on the drive that made it 7-3 with 6:38 to go in the first quarter.
The Bees forced a safety on the very first play of the second quarter, increasing their lead to 9-3 and getting the ball back with great field position as they started their next drive at the Demon 40-yard line. The drive stalled however and eventually another Seibert pass was picked off by Cooper Rummel. His second of the first half.
The rough first half for Brucchieri continued as his next punt was blocked by David Zambounis and handed the Bees the ball at the Demons 3-yard line as Westlake stadium drew eerily quiet. A few moments later, Beach cashed it in for more Brecksville points to extend the Bee lead to 16-3 with 8:34 to play. The game went to halftime with that same score.
The Bees rolled the dice and started the second half with a timely squib kick that was converted into a hybrid onside kick in which they recovered. It took them 3 plays to find Kyle Keener over the middle for a 25-yard touchdown. Keener, caught the ball, spun off the tackle and ran another 20 yards for the score to bust the game wide open at 23-3.
The Demons badly needed a bounce back drive and got one in the form of Matthew Porcelli who broke off runs of 35 and also 10 pus yards to help move the ball. He had several catches on the drive as well to move the ball deep into Bee territory. They couldn’t convert however, as the Demons were held once again and turned the ball over on downs. The score wouldn’t move from that spot as we entered the fourth quarter.
A third Eli Beach touchdown of the night with 5:36to go in the game, put it away for good as Brecksville extended their lead to 30 – 3. The absolutely horrendous night of special teams for the Demons continued as they fumbled the ensuing kickoff and handed the ball back to the Bees. Brecksville held on for the 30-3 win and will now travel to Avon next week for round two.
Wow I didn’t see Westlake losing that big. I know former Massillon head coach Jason Hall and the job he is doing at Westlake. I have respect for Hall. Just wish their season didn’t end that way.