by Twinsburg, Ohio – Senior two-way starter TC Molk ran for a touchdown, and picked off two passes, helping Dover to a 24-7 win over Kenston in a Division III, Region 9 semifinal Friday night.
Kenston started off on a good note, when Lucas Simmons returned the opening kickoff into Dover territory.
However, the Dover defense held, forcing a Bomber turnover on downs.
Both defenses refused to give an inch throughout the first quarter, and into the second as well.
Dover struck first when senior running back Connor McGarry rushed for a seven-yard touchdown. This put the Tornadoes up 7-0 with 5:32 left in the second quarter.
Kenston responded with a scoring drive of their own to end the first half.
Junior quarterback Nikko Georgiou completed timely passes to get the Bomber offense down the field. He capped the drive by finding sophomore running back Sean Patrick in the left flat for an 18-yard touchdown. This tied the score at 7 going into the half. Georgiou was 14 of 17 for 174 yards passing in the first half. Patrick had 14 catches for 85 yards Friday evening.
Dover started the second half with the ball. They used an outstanding ground game to set up their next score.
Senior quarterback TC Molk scored on a keeper from eight yards out. This gave Dover the lead, 14-7.
Kenston drove down the field on the ensuing drive, and got inside the red zone, looking to tie it up. But Molk (who also plays defensive back) picked off a pass from Georgiou, and the Crimson Tornadoes took over.
Senior running back Connor McGarry ran it in from eight yards out to increase Dover’s lead to 21-7. McGarry had 18 carries for 117 yards and the two scores.
The defense came up with another big play, as junior Mitchell Martin recovered a fumble.
From there, the Tornadoes added a field goal by Lucas Lane. This pushed the score to 24-7 with 6:03 left.
Kenston marched down the field once again, and Georgiou completed a fourth-down pass to Indiana commit Ryan Miller. But the Dover defense held firm.
Senior defensive lineman Ryan McVicker came up with a sack, and TC Molk picked off another pass, his second of the game.
From there, Dover ran out the clock and celebrated their first regional final appearance since 2013.
They will play against top-seeded Chardon next Friday night. The Toppers defeated Canfield, 27-14 in their Division III, Region 9 semifinal.
