by Pepper Pike, Ohio — Donny Hardy scored three touchdowns in the first half, a well-coached defense played lights out and the Chagrin Falls Tigers put together an impressive 37-0 victory over Orange on Friday night.
KEY PLAYERS
Nicholas Vinci (Chagrin QB): 6/10 passing for 136 yards and 1 TD, 29 rushing yards.
Donny Hardy (Chagrin RB): 7 carries for 84 yards and 2 TDs, 2 receptions for 86 yards and 1 TD. (170 all-purpose yards on 9 touches)
FIRST HALF
Chagrin Falls began with the ball and from the jump, it was evident that it was in their game plan to play fast and physical football.
The Tiger’s inaugural drive began with a beautiful pitch and catch from senior quarterback Nicholas Vinci to sophomore receiver Spencer Kaas. It was that 11-yard reception that really got the drive going for them.
Just two plays later on senior running back Donny Hardy’s third carry of the night, he would find a gash in the left side of the Chagrin Fall’s offensive line and ultimately take it 54 yards to the house making it 7-0 early.
Orange began their night of offense very efficient, especially on their first series. It was junior quarterback Alexander Ford who showed off his ability to make defenders miss and run for first downs.
However, after three first downs in a row, Orange faced a 4th & 6 where they were unsuccessful in converting, turning the ball over on downs and giving it back to Chagrin with decent field position.
In the opening minutes of the second quarter, a big 20 yard run by quarterback Nicholas Vinci was brought back by holding. Evidently, that did not matter. Because on the next play from scrimmage, Vinci showed off his touch and arm strength as he hit sophomore receiver Drew Zelch for a 31-yard score!
After the Ben Cowan extra point, Chagrin was in the lead up 14-0 with 10:53 remaining in the half.
Following the Chagrin score, Orange began their following drive with a pass that was intercepted by junior defensive back Luke Neimeier! Neimeier had a fantastic break on the ball as he returned that pass all the back to the endzone putting Chagrin up 7 more.
The Lions offense was back in possession mid-way through the second quarter. However, after a tough stand from the Tiger defense, the Lions were forced to punt once more.
A few nice runs by Nicholas Vinci on Chagrin’s following drive really got the offense in a nice grove. Those runs were what ultimately set up a Donny Hardy 15-yard touchdown scamper, putting the Tigers up by 28 with the half winding down.
A three and out was the result of Lion’s next drive, as they were forced to punt it back to Chargin with a little over a minute left in the half.
It was on that drive after they Tigers took over, where Donny Hardy made the play of the night.
Hardy was lined up in the slot as he corralled a short screen pass from Nicholas Vinci. Upon his reception, Hardy quickly made a sharp inside cut and another back out as he took the screen-pass 75 yards to the house once more for his third touchdown of the contest, putting Chagrin Falls up 34-0 over Orange at intermission.
On the ensuing kickoff by Chagrin, the Lions had a special team’s miscue where they fumbled the return, and the Tigers were all over the loose ball as they regained possession with under a minute left in the half.
However, it was the Orange defense that stepped up and made a terrific play as time expired in the half. Sophomore defensive back Ely Robinson was all over Nicholas Vinci’s pass as he was step for step with his man and that leverage is what allowed him to create such an important defensive stop going into the half for the Lions.
SECOND HALF
The second half was short-felt due to a running clock for most of the two quarters. It was after the Orange three-and-out where Chagrin got to display their running game once more as senior running back Jack Ducas and quarterback Nicholas Vinci marched the Tigers down the field behind their stout offensive line that constantly created room to run for the two backs.
However, that long 10-minute drive eventually stalled out and head coach John Scott called out his field goal unit. Ben Cowan the junior kicker redeemed his missed extra point from the second quarter as he booted a 30-yard field goal early in the fourth putting the Tigers up 37-0.
Following the Tiger’s scoring drive, both sides would empty their benches and give some of their younger guy’s reps as time ran out giving the Tigers their third victory of the campaign; 37-0 over the Lions of Orange.
THE TAKEAWAY
Chagrin Falls came into Orange and looked very impressive. They ran the ball tremendously and even broke one for a 54-yard-TD early in the first quarter. The defense played lights for 4 quarters which carried the momentum throughout the game. Coach Scott and the Tigers improve to 3-2 but they know they have tough business to handle next week, as Kirtland (5-0) comes to town for a big CVC matchup.
UP NEXT
Second half of the regular season begins.
Chagrin Falls: Hosts Kirtland next Friday night.
Orange: Geneva comes to town next Friday night.
