by Twinsburg, Ohio – Gilmour Academy held off Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 35-28, in a Division III, Region 9 semifinal at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium Friday night.
The Lancers won the toss and elected to receive to begin Friday’s game. They moved the ball down the field, as Cooper Panteck completed passes to Kingston Seals and Brody Lennon for big gains. However, despite being at the six-yard line, the drive resulted in no points thanks to a fourth-down incompletion.
After forcing a CVCA punt, the Gilmour offense took the field for its second drive of the game. This time, they would capitalize, as Cooper Panteck found Brody Lennon for a 25-yard touchdown reception. The point after was good, and the Lancers led, 7-0, with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for CVCA to respond, as junior running back Joey Kopec took the ensuing kickoff back 87 yards to the house, knotting the score at 7.
The Royal defense came up with a big stop as senior defensive lineman Dreylin Price came up with a fourth down sack, forcing a turnover on downs. CVCA would move the ball down the field thanks to their ground game, and Charley Levak finished the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run. After the ensuing PAT, the Royals held a 14-7 lead at the 4:40 mark of the second quarter. Gilmour Academy came up with a quick response of their own.
On their next possession, sophomore running back Nathan Lennon broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run of his own. This would knot the score at 14.
With the score tied, Joey Kopec had a long kickoff return to set the Royals up deep in Gilmour territory. Two plays later, sophomore tailback Zac Anderson rushed for a 20-yard touchdown. This gave CVCA the lead, 21-14, with 3:44 left in the second quarter.
Once again, Gilmour Academy countered with a scoring drive of their own. Cooper Panteck moved the ball down the field, with completions to Nick Iliano and Lars Broberg. He finished the scoring drive finding Brody Lennon for a 25-yard touchdown reception.
The ensuing PAT knotted things up at 21-21 with 37 seconds to play.
The third quarter kicked off with CVCA having possession. The Royals’ ground game ate up almost seven minutes of the third quarter clock, as the y looked to take the lead. However, things change in an instant when sophomore Bruno Cook pounced a loose ball for the Lancers. They would take full advantage as Cooper Panteck found senior Sean Dillard for a 14-yard touchdown reception. Gilmour Academy would take the lead, 28-21, with 3:23 left in the third quarter.
The Gilmour defense stopped CVCA on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs. CVCA would get a big fourth-down stop of their own to get the ball back. However, the Lancers came up with another defensive stop, with Brody Lennon sacking Charley Levak and forcing CVCA to punt.
On the next offensive possession, Gilmour Academy went to their aerial attack once again. It paid off as Cooper Panteck connected with Lars Broberg for a 76-yard score. This would increase the Lancer lead to 35-21 with 6:41 left.
CVCA countered with a touchdown run by senior Ryan Wiehe from two yards out to cut their deficit to 35-28 with 2:41 to play. Gilmour Academy recovered the ensuing onside kick. Aiden McNamara sealed the game with a first-down run on fourth-and-short to ice the game for the Lancers.
With Friday’s win, Gilmour set a season mark in victories, moving to 12-1 on the year. They advance to take on top-seeded Ursuline, who defeated Aurora, 29-10, in the other semifinal at Hoover High School.
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy finished at 10-3.
