by Chagrin Falls, OH – As week three of high school football winds down here in northeast Ohio, the Kenston Bombers will look back at tonight victorious, as they take down the NDCL Lions 31-17. Coming into tonight’s contest, the Bombers come off of a tough loss against a very talented Perry Pirates team just a week ago. The NDCL Lions also come into tonight’s game off a loss. The Lions took on the Olentangy Braves out of Lewis Center Ohio, where they would be bested 34-28, losing in overtime. Both teams came into tonight’s game hungry for their second win of the season in a pivotal game.
Kenston’s offense was terrific tonight as they were led by senior quarterback Nikko Georgiou. Georgiou was 22/32 for 301 passing yards and threw 4 touchdown passes. Leading the team in the rushing department for the Bombers was junior running back Sean Patrick. Patrick rushed 14 times for 76 yards. A productive 5.4 yards per carrying on the night. However, Patrick really shined tonight as a receiver! The junior had 4 catches for 73 yards and 2 huge touchdown receptions. One from 12 yards out and another from 34 yards out during the fourth quarter. Standout sophomore receiver Tymir Cardona was also busy tonight for the Bombers as he brought in 8 catches for 112 yards and two big 30+ yard touchdown receptions.
On the other side, NDCL was led by sophomore quarterback Ryan Lipowski. Lipowski was also productive tonight as he completed 16 passes on 25 attempts for 180 yards and 1 touchdown through the air, to go along with another touchdown on the ground. Senior receiver Brandon Smul was the Lion’s top receiver, bringing in 4 catches for 71 yards and a score. Burke Buell, the senior running back for NDCL played a nice complementary role in the offense tonight as he rushed 15 times for 63 yards
In the first quarter to start the game, both teams were quick to go three and out on each of their own opening drives. With the two defenses setting the tone early, fans knew it was going to be a battle. However, things would quickly change for the Lions on their second drive of the night. A big 37-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Ryan Lipowski to senior receiver Hayden Dixon would get the ball rolling for NDCL. After a few nice runs by senior running back Burke Buell, the ball was on the one-yard line, and it was first and goal for NDCL. One play later, Lipowski would take a keeper, go right side and into the endzone from one yard out! After a Gianni Spetic extra point, NDCL led Kenston 7-0 with 3:24 left in the first.
Ultimately Kenston would get the ball back and after a well-placed 45-yard pass from senior quarterback Nikko Georgiou to senior receiver Thomas O’Brien, the Bombers would be in great field position. However, their drive would eventually stall out and they would settle for a 36-yard field goal. A kick knocked through by senior kicker Parker Munday.
The second quarter was a fantastic sequel to the first as NDCL began the quarter with possession and after two huge sacks from the Bomber’s defensive line as well as a big tackle on a screen pass, the Lions were forced to punt giving the ball back to Kenston. On the Bomber’s next series, they were on a mission. Nikko Georgiou would find sophomore receiver Tymir Cardona for a 34-yard touchdown reception. Cardona was shot out of a cannon on the play as he outran the entire NDCL defense to find the endzone. After the Parker Munday PAT, the Bombers took a 10-7 lead over Lions with less than 6 minutes to play in the opening half.
NDCL got the ball back and their offense struggled to get a first down, as the Kenston defense constantly filled gaps on the line shutting down the run. However, on 4th down the Lions would fake the punt as 5-star senior kicker/punter Gianni Spetic would throw a 15-yard pass on the money and the Lions would get a fresh set of downs. They would capitalize on the Bomber’s defense just a few plays later as Ryan Lipowski would score his second touchdown of the night, this time through the air as he hit senior receiver Brandon Smul for a 27-yard touchdown. That brought the game to halftime, where NDCL led 14-10 with momentum.
To open the third quarter, the Bombers began with the ball. Kenston came out of the half motivated as a very steady long drive featured by some nice pass by quarterback Nikko Georgiou, ultimately led to a 12-yard touchdown reception to standout junior running back Sean Patrick. Kenston retook the lead as they were then up 17-14.
NDCL would regain possession after the Kenston score, they would begin their ensuing drive with a 24-yard scamper by Burke Buell. Consequently, on the next play from scrimmage, the Lions would fumble giving the ball right back to Keston, with great field position.
The fourth quarter would open with Kenston in possession of the ball. On the very first play of the quarter, Georgiou would again make another tremendous throw, this time hitting Kenston’s top receiver of the night, sophomore Tymir Cardona for a 30-yard touchdown! Cardona ran a beautiful route and made a great catch in traffic, as he caught Nikko Georgiou’s fourth touchdown heave of the evening. After a successful extra point, the bombers took a 14-point lead over NDCL with less than 6 minutes left in regulation.
In the end, a second turnover on downs from NDCL would give the ball back to Kenston where all they had to do was gain a few first downs and run the clock out. That is exactly what the Bombers did! That would end the game and produce a final score of 31-17 with Kenston coming out on top over NDCL.
Tonight’s player of the game is none other than Kenston senior quarterback, Nikko Georgiou. Georgiou was composed, accurate and took charge of the Kenston offense this evening. He completed 22 passes on 32 attempts, throwing for 301 yards along with 4 touchdowns through the air. A terrific night for the senior signal caller!
To look ahead onto week 4, both teams are back in action next Friday night as Kenston will be at home once again, this time against the North Rangers out of Eastlake, Ohio. This will be a big game for the Bombers as they officially begin conference play and look to get off to a solid start against Western Reserve Conference competition. The Lions of NDCL will be back at home next week as they take on a red-hot Gilmour Academy team that looks to avenge their 26-12 loss to the Lions, just a year ago.
