by HUDSON, OH – Hudson and Cleveland Heights both came into tonight as well-respected programs in the Northeast Ohio area. Both schools battled in an instant classic. Cleveland Heights was able to erase a 17-point deficit as they claim the victory by a score of 34-31.
Hudson got the ball to start the game and came out scorching hot. They drove right down the field and got on the board thanks to an 8-yard run by senior running back Ian Ludewig. On the ensuing drive, Hudson’s defense got a stop and forced Heights to punt. The punt was blocked and taken to the house by senior Teagan O’Guinn, putting Hudson up 14-0 with 5:45 left in the first quarter. Soon after, Hudson’s defense was able to recover a fumble and give Hudson the ball right back. A nice 26-yard carry by Ludewig set the Explores up in field goal range. Junior kicker Brad Masiella knocked in 32-yard field goal to give Hudson an early 17-0 lead.
However, the Tigers were not phased. On the ensuing drive, junior running back Marquise Davis took a 60-yard carry to the endzone, in which he broke multiple tackles in route. After a blocked PAT, the score was 17-6. On the first play following the ensuing kickoff, sophomore defensive back Henry Perrymond reeled in an interception to give the Tigers the ball right back. Using the momentum, Davis punched in his second touchdown of the night from 11 yards out. Senior Keont’e Turner ran in the two-point conversion as Heights crawled back in the game 17-14. After a defensive stop, Heights was left with tough field position, having the ball at their own 7-yard line. That was no match for Davis, as he once again broke numerous tackles, and scampered up the sideline for a 93-yard house call. This gave the Tigers a 21-17 lead. This score held until halftime, as a nice fumble recovery and return by Heights senior Albert Green stopped a Hudson drive that had reached the redzone.
The third quarter started off in stalemate, as both teams continued to battle. Late in the quarter, Heights’ defensive back Emere Atkins snagged an interception, giving the Tigers the ball at their own 45-yard line. With 1:38 remaining in the third quarter, Davis trotted in from 13 yards out, giving himself his fourth score on the night. After another blocked PAT, the Tigers led 27-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
Hudson was not going to go down easy. 10 seconds into the fourth quarter, senior Noah Broski ran in an 11-yard touchdown, as he escaped pressure in the backfield and impressively found his way in for 6. A missed PAT later, and the Explorers were back in it by a score of 23-27. Heights came swinging right back on the ensuing drive. Facing a crucial fourth down, senior quarterback Amaar Lakes evaded a tackle, and converted on a 21-yard rush. Soon after, Heights was facing another critical fourth down, however this time it was a challenging 4th and 16. Lakes stepped up again, as he escaped pressure and found a wide-open Henry Perrymond in the corner of the endzone. This gave the Tigers a 23-34 lead with 6:36 remaining in the game. Hudson still had life, as they drove it right back down the field. With 4:21 left in the game, Teagan O’Guinn found the endzone for a second time, this time being on an 8-yard carry. Hudson converted the 2 point thanks to a Philly-special-esque play where senior Nolan Yanak found Nathan Judy to bring the Explorers within 3. The score was 34-31 with minutes to go. Hudson eventually got the ball back, but the Tigers defense stepped up and got a game-sealing fourth down stop with 0:24 remaining. The Tigers took a knee and capped off the game 34-31.
Tonight’s players of the game start with Cleveland Heights running back Marquise Davis. Davis had 33 caries for a total of 337 yards and 4 touchdowns.
As for Hudson, Ian Ludewig was named their player of the game. Despite only playing one half due to injury, Ludewig accumulated 164 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
