by
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — What started as a nightmarish afternoon on the corner of Cedar & Lee, turned into a statement win for Cleveland Heights. After falling behind 14-0 in the blink of an eye, the Tigers clawed back and stormed past Greater Cleveland Conference rival Euclid, 38-23, on Saturday afternoon in front of a packed home crowd that included actor/comedian Michael Blackson and internet comedian Fat Boy SSE.
Euclid’s Lightning Start
Panthers Head Coach Damion Creel couldn’t have scripted a better opening for Euclid. On just the Panthers’ fifth play of the game, junior quarterback Dion Russell dropped back and hit junior star Kei’Shjuan Telfair on a simple screen. The rest was highlight tape. Telfair weaved through defenders and sprinted 81 yards to the house, sending the Euclid sideline into a frenzy.
“Kei’Shjuan is a really good player,” Tigers Head Coach Bryce Jones said postgame. “I’ve had Penn State calling me asking about the kid. We knew what type of game it would be today with him.”
Moments later, following a defensive stop, Euclid marched down again. This time it was senior running back Marcellus Thompson bulldozing into the end zone from six yards out. Just like that, the Panthers led 14-0 less than five minutes into the game.
Enter Asher Wilson: The Spark Plug
When Cleveland Heights starter LaMarques Greenwood threw an interception to senior defensive back Derius Bacchus early in the second quarter, Tigers head coach Bryce Jones needed a spark. He didn’t hesitate.
In stepped senior backup quarterback Asher Wilson, a player who has built a reputation for staying ready when called upon. And he delivered immediately.
Wilson dropped a dime over the middle to senior wideout Sirr Gibson for a 41-yard touchdown, igniting the Heights crowd. Euclid tried to snatch momentum back instantly—Telfair did just that, taking the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to the house for his second score of the day, pushing the Panthers’ lead to 21-6.
But Wilson wasn’t done. Two plays later, he again found Gibson streaking over the middle. This time the senior receiver did the rest, racing 71 yards to the end zone. Suddenly, the game was back within reach.
“We just needed a spark,” Wilson said. “Sirr’s the best guy we got out there for that kind of stuff, so I just had to find him and let him make a play. I’m always ready. I just do my job.”
Greenwood Regains the Reins
With momentum shifting, Coach Jones turned back to his starter. Greenwood, a junior, responded with the kind of poise and playmaking Cleveland Heights had been waiting for all season.
The dual-threat quarterback dominated the second half, scoring three rushing touchdowns and firing a 72-yard bomb to Gibson for another. Greenwood accounted for four touchdowns after halftime, erasing Euclid’s early dominance and putting Heights firmly in control.
“He took a step forward today,” Jones said of Greenwood. “That to him may not be a huge step forward, but to us and the team, he did. He put the game on his back.”
Eyes on the Playoffs
The win marks yet another chapter in Heights’ turnaround. After starting 0-4, the Tigers have now won three of their last four and are surging into the playoff conversation. Next week, they’ll host (5-3) Brunswick in a conference matchup that will determine both third place in the GCC and the No. 9 seed in Division I, Region 1.
“We talked about it as a team,” Jones said. “We got a chance—that’s all you can ask for. If you’re given a chance, you have to be ready to take advantage. These kids are taking advantage. Today didn’t start great, but they finished the way we’re supposed to finish.”
Kee-On Players of the Game (Unofficial Stats)
Cleveland Heights:
WR Sirr Gibson — 4 catches, 188 yards, 3 TDs
QB LaMarques Greenwood — 4 total TDs (3 rushing, 1 passing), 1 INT
DB Sirius Jones — 1 INT
Euclid:
WR/DB Kei’Shjuan Telfair — 175 total yards, 2 TDs (1 receiving, 1 kick return)
