by Lyndhurst, Ohio – Freshman running back Tanelle Rose carried the ball 21 times for 119 yards and a touchdown, propelling the host Brush Arcs to a 21-12 victory over visiting Lutheran East.
Lutheran East got on the board first when Osei Mattocks found BJ Busbee for a 16-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. The extra point try was no good, and the Falcons had a 6-0 lead.
But not for long.
Brush drove down the field and finished their drive when senior quarterback AJ Shorts found senior tight end Antoine Woolfolk in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown reception. The ensuing point after was good and Brush led 7-6 after the first.
Shorts would call his own number and take it to the end zone early in the second to push the Arc lead to 14-6. And later in the first half, facing third and long, freshman Tanelle Rose looked to be taken down for a big loss. But then he reversed field and found his way to the end zone for a huge touchdown to increase the lead to 21-6.
But the Falcons responded. After a huge kickoff return by Terrance Williams inside Brush territory, the Falcons found their way to the end zone when Osei Mattocks found Williams for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-12 going into the half.
The second half belonged to the defenses.
First, freshman defensive lineman Savier Rodriguez recovered a fumble in the third quarter to put the Arcs in great field position. But Lutheran East defensive back Thomas Pondexter would pick a pass off a few plays later to thwart the following drive.
The two teams traded punts, and Brush looked to add to their lead once again. But BJ Busbee, who also plays basketball for Lutheran East, had a huge pass breakup to give the Falcons back the ball on downs.
After a huge Osei Mattocks run put the Falcons in the red zone, they set up shop with first and goal inside the five after a pass interference penalty. But a costly fumble, recovered by junior defensive lineman Maliek Williams thwarted those chances.
From there, the Arcs took almost eight minutes off the clock, and hung on to win from there.
In addition to Rose’s efforts, Juniors Chris Tinsley and junior Marshawn Taylor each rushed for 60 yards to aid the winning effort.
“At the end of the day, we understand that we’re a Division V school. I’m beyond proud of our effort tonight. It was a playoff caliber effort.” said Lutheran East first-year head coach Tyler Eden. “We have a lot to get better at. At the end of the day, we have to eliminate those little mental mistakes. We’re playing a big rival that we’ve never played before. We have to clean up those little mental mistakes. I’m proud of these guys and this unit. They fought and clawed and did everything to give themselves a shot.” he added.
In a losing effort, Lutheran East senior quarterback Osei Mattocks went 12 of 26 passing for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior wide receiver BJ Busbee had five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, and freshman wide receiver Terrence Williams had five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Brush improves to 2-0 and hosts Warrensville Heights next Friday night.
Lutheran East drops to 0-2 and travels to University School next Saturday afternoon.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brush freshman running back Tanelle Rose
Rose had 119 yards to pace the Arcs rushing attack Friday night, including a highlight-reel type touchdown run late in the first half to help propel the Arcs to victory. This young man has a bright future ahead of him.
