by Bainbridge, Ohio – Kenston senior quarterback Nikko Georgiou found Sean Patrick for an 80-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, propelling Kenston to a 31-28 win over visiting Eastlake North Friday evening.
Both teams traded punts after their first possessions. Kenston get on the board first, thanks to a Sean Patrick 32-yard touchdown run. This put the Bombers up 7-0 early on.
The North offense would drive down to the Kenston 30 on the ensuing possession before Sean Patrick picked off a pass and took it all the way to the North 3-yard line. Freshman Toran Savransky did the rest, taking it in to increase the lead to 14-0.
North answered thanks to their ground game. Senior Derek Martinez took a handoff and went 70 yards to the Kenston 10, and punched it in on the next play to cut the Ranger deficit in half, 14-7.
Kenston would add to their lead, thanks to a field goal from senior kicker Parker Munday from 31 yards out. This made the score 17-7.
However, North answered back with a score late in the first half. On fourth down, senior Curtis Thomas (South Dakota football commit) took a handoff four yards to the end zone. This cut the Kenston lead to 17-14 going into the half.
The Ranger offense picked up where it left off, capping off a drive that took nearly eight minutes off the third quarter clock. Derek Martinez took it in from nine yards out to give Eastlake North the lead, 21-17.
It wouldn’t take long for Kenston to respond though. They drove down the field, capping off their drive with a Nikko Georgiou 40 yard touchdown toss to Tymir Cardona. This gave the Bombers a 24-21 lead at the end of three.
North countered, taking the lead back when Zach Rummel found Curtis Thomas for a 55 yard connection on the first play of the final quarter.
The Ranger defense stepped up in a huge way, forcing a Kenston punt. They would utilize the ground and pound, continuing to eat up clock. However, Kenston made a huge defensive stand, and a 52-yard field goal attempt went wide left.
Two plays later, Kenston took the lead again. This time, Nikko Georgiou found Sean Patrick for an 80-yard connection. Patrick caught the ball and raced up the sideline to the delight of the home crowd.
However, Eastlake North had one more shot at it. The Rangers moved down the field and into Kenston territory thanks to a fourth-down reception. However, a couple plays later, the Kenston defense stepped up big time.
Jack Novak forced a fumble thanks to a strip-sack, and Josh Hallen recovered it to ice the game for the Bombers.
Kenston (3-1, 1-0 WRC) travels to Lake Catholic next Saturday night.
Eastlake North (0-4, 0-1 WRC) hosts Willoughby South next Friday to continue conference play.
FINAL STATS
Nikko Georgiou (Kenston) went 11 of 23 for 178 passing for two scores. Tymir Cardona had five catches for 48 yards and a score.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Sean Patrick (Kenston)
The junior, who has received offers from multiple Division I schools, had a whale of a game Friday evening. He had 19 carries for 165 yards and a score, along with five catches for 118 yards and a score. He also had an interception that he nearly took to the house in the first quarter.
Extended highlights here:
It’s was #22 Zya’r Scott forced a fumble