by Bainbridge, OH — Chardon senior quarterback Alex Henry ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns to help Chardon overcome a slow start in a 35-18 victory over Kenston on Friday night.
FIRST HALF
From the jump, it was the defensive efforts from both sides that really set the tone early on. With both teams punting on each of their own inaugural drives, it became evident that it was going to be a hard-fought defensive battle.
Although it was a defensive battle for most of the first half, the Bombers were able to put together a very quick drive following their punt. That drive featured a huge 81-yard screen pass from Nikko Georgiou to junior running back Sean Patrick. Patrick was shot out of a cannon as he took it down the Bomber’s sideline before he was forced out of bounds at the 6-yard line.
Just one play later, Georgiou took the ball in from 6 yards out as he bounced his first carry of the night left side and into the endzone, putting Kenston up 7-0 early.
After Chardon regained possession, it was the Bomber’s defense that made their presence felt as they forced a huge fumble inside of the 20, on the Hilltoppers first play of their drive. However, the Bombers were unable to capitalize on their stellar field position as the Chardon defense was all over Nikko Georgiou, forcing a huge 13-yard sack that led to a punt one play later.
The Hilltopper’s offense quickly picked up the slack on their next possession. A massive 51-yard pitch and catch from senior quarterback Alex Henry to senior running back Heath Fetchik is what ultimately led to a 1-yard touchdown scamper up the middle by Alex Henry.
Both teams were unable find the endzone following their scores on those two drives. As the half concluded, it was a dead-even tie at 7 a piece with the two defenses playing well and a few big plays from both offenses being the common denominator.
SECOND HALF
After the low-scoring first half, the Hilltoppers were able to find a rhythm offensively in the second half that seemed unstoppable.
The 3rd quarter began with a short-lived Hilltopper drive as they were quick to punt the ball once more. However, it didn’t take long for them to get the ball back. Chardon junior defensive back Leo Colombi was the one who ultimately made a terrific play while in zone-coverage, jumping the passing lane as he was able to pick off Nikko Georgiou’s pass. This turnover not only gave the Hilltoppers the ball Inside the Kenston 20, but a massive boost of much needed momentum.
The Hilltoppers looked to their star junior running back, Andrew Bruce as he was able to take an end-around 19-yard jet sweep to the house, putting the Hilltoppers up 14-7 after Joseph Evans knocked through the PAT.
The Chardon momentum ultimately wore off rather quickly as the Bombers were able to march the rock right down the field to the 1-yard line. Three run plays later, the Bombers were backed up to the five-yard line as the Chardon interior defensive line did not budge as the continued to clog gaps and prevent the score. The Bombers had to settle for a field-goal and that ultimately cut the Chardon lead to just 4 with 4:31 remaining in the 3rd.
On Chardon’s ensuing drive, Alex Henry was man on a mission. Two big 10+ yard runs, and a big 16-yard run by Andrew Bruce set up first and goal for the Hilltoppers. One play later, Alex Henry took it right guard for the 6-yard score, putting Chardon up 21-10 with time expiring in the 3rd.
The Bombers who were down by 11 at that point continued to keep the wheels turning on offense. Georgiou found Tymir Cordona for a big 33-yard reception that set up a first and goal from the 1. Just one play later, Sean Patrick ran it in from one yard out making it a 21-16 ball game, still in favor of the Hilltoppers. In hopes to make it a 3-point-ballgame, the Bombers kept their offensive unit out and attempted the crucial two point try. After going through his progressions and seeing no open receivers, Georgiou took matters into his own hands as he scrambled to his left and ran it into the endzone, converting the two points and making it a 21-18 ball mid-way through the 4th.
Absolutely unfazed by the Kenston score, the Hilltopper’s offense marched their way back down the field, which ultimately led to the 2nd Andrew Bruce score of the night. Surprisingly enough, Bruce took it in again from 19-yards out on an end around jet sweep, which put it the Hilltoppers up 28-18 with 5:52 left in the contest. Throughout the season, Bruce has continued to make big plays for the Hilltoppers offense especially when it matters late.
An unsuccessful 4th down conversion on Kenston’s following drive put the ball right back into the hands of Alex Henry and company. With the help of a short field, the Hilltoppers would find the endzone for the 4th time in the 2nd half putting the game out of reach with less than a minute left in regulation.
In the end, Kenston would ultimately end up running out the clock and ending the game as the Hilltoppers defeated the Bombers 35-18. Chardon improves to (5-1) on the campaign whereas Kenston drops to (4-2). Both teams still remain in playoff contention.
KEY PLAYERS
Chardon: Andrew Bruce (15 carries, 123 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Alex Henry (26 carries, 168 yards, 2 touchdowns) – (4/7 passing, 74 yards)
Kenston: Sean Patrick (12 carries, 112 yards, 1 touchdown) – (5 receptions, 120 yards)
UP NEXT
Chardon: The Hilltoppers travel to Madison on Oct. 7 after a bye this upcoming week.
Kenston: The Bombers are back at home against Madison on Sep. 30.
