by Wadsworth, OH: For the sixth time in as many weeks, the Wadsworth Grizzlies get a running-clock victory, this time over Brecksville 49-12. Wadsworth dominated the game offensively, getting 299 yards and five touchdowns from Cooper Gray (181yd-3TD) and Gavin Madigan (118-2), while senior Calix Lemp hauled in four catches for 140 yards and two scores. Sophomore quarterback Brysen Hall finished 13-16 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
First Half
Brecksville received the opening kickoff and quickly went three-and-out. On the ensuing punt attempt, Jay’len King burst through the line and blocked the kick, giving Wadsworth the ball at the Bees’ 20. Three plays later, Gavin Madigan scored from four yards out to put the Grizzlies up 7-0 just over two minutes into the game.
Brecksville would punt again on their next drive, but this time the Grizzlies struck even quicker. On the first play from their own 36, Cooper Gray took the handoff 64 yards to the house, giving Wadsworth a 14-0 lead with 8:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Wadsworth’s next drive would be longer, starting at their own 8 and driving down to the Bees’ 18. On first down, Peter Chermonte picked off Brysen Hall to end the Grizzlies’ threat. The Bees would drive into Wadsworth territory for the first time, but a completion from Nate Henegar to Carson Zabkar came up a yard short, turning the ball over on downs.
After coming up short on their last drive, Wadsworth came out with a long, methodical possession. Starting on their own 9, the Grizzlies covered 91 yards in 12 plays and three and a half minutes, extending their lead to 21-0 on a 15-yard touchdown run from Madigan.
A 59-yard kick return by Chermonte set the Bees up with their best field position of the night at the Wadsworth 31. Unfortunately for Brecksville, they came up short on fourth down again inside the Grizzlies’ red zone. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Hall found Lemp down the sideline for an 85-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 28-0.
After forcing the fourth Brecksville punt of the first half, Wadsworth began their next possession at their own 14 with just under three minutes remaining. One play after moving the ball across midfield, Gray took the handoff for 43 yards, his second of the game to put the Grizzlies up 35-0.
With just over a minute remaining in the half, Wadsworth attempted an onside kick but Brecksville came up with the recovery. On fourth and goal from the one, Henegar took the QB sneak up the middle for a Bees’ touchdown. A blocked extra point made the score 35-6 at the break.
Second Half
The Grizzlies came out of the locker room just as hot as when they left the field, orchestrating a 9-play, 74 yard drive capped off by a 12-yard run from Gray to extend the lead to 42-6, initiating a running clock. Brecksville would punt again on their next drive, giving Wadsworth the ball at the Bees’ 39. On the second play, Hall hooked up with Lemp again, this time a 30-yard score that pushed the lead to 49-6.
Both sides traded punts, and Brecksville began their next possession at their own 40. The Bees were not ready to go down quite yet, as the offense put together a 16-play drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run from Nick Milanich as time expired. With no time left for an extra point attempt, Wadsworth walked away with a dominant 49-12 victory.
Keys to the Game
Six games into the season and Wadsworth gets its sixth running clock victory. Not only did the offense get big play after big play, the defense suffocated Brecksville, only allowing scores as time expired in each half. The starters made their mark, putting up over 500 yards of offense before leaving the game in the third quarter. When the Grizzlies are able to spread the ball around like that, they are going to be nearly impossible to defeat.
Next Week
The loss drops the Bees to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Suburban League. They will look to right the ship next Friday night when they host league rival Stow-Munroe Falls (2-4). The Bulldogs fell to Solon 28-24 in Week 6.
Wadsworth remains unbeaten on the season and looks to extend their streak to seven next Friday night when they travel to Hudson (5-1). The Explorers shutout Twinsburg 35-0 in Week 6.
Top Performers
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees
Peter Chermonte: 59-yard kick return INT
Wadsworth Grizzlies
Brysen Hall: 13-16 235 yards 2 TD INT
Calix Lemp: 4 catches 140 yards 2 TD
Cooper Gray: 16 carries 181 yards 3 TD
Gavin Madigan: 12 carries 118 yards 2 TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Wadsworth 10:02- Gavin Madigan- 4-yard run (kick good) 7-0
Wadsworth 8:41- Cooper Gray, 64-yard run (kick good) 14-0
2nd Quarter
Wadsworth 8:36- Gavin Madigan, 15-yard run (kick good) 21-0
Wadsworth 4:49- Brysen Hall to Calix Lemp, 85 yards (kick good) 28-0
Wadsworth 1:13- Cooper Gray, 43-yard run (kick good) 35-0
Brecksville 0:00- Nate Henegar, 1-yard run (kick blocked) 35-6
3rd Quarter
Wadsworth 8:58- Cooper Gray, 12-yard run (kick good) 42-6
Wadsworth 3:34- Brysen Hall to Calix Lemp, 30 yards (kick good) 49-6
4th Quarter
Brecksville 0:00- Nick Milanich, 3-yard run (no kick) 49-12
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Brecksville | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
| Wadsworth | 14 | 21 | 14 | 0 | 49 |
