by Euclid head coach Jeff Rotsky knows the remaining schedule that lies ahead is tough. With a defensive stop on the last play of the game, Euclid was able to hang on and defeat Strongsville by a final score of 21-14.
Rotsky credits his defensive effort as the key factor during the win but knows the 6-0 start to the season is something to build off of heading into the closing weeks of the season.
“We just have to try to win one game at a time,” Rotsky explained after the win. “We’re just a work in progress right now, and this was the first time we played as a team for 48 minutes all season.”
Leading the Panther offense was senior running back Jabir Mujihad. He carried the ball 22 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to lead the Panthers to an explosive first half where they scored 21 points in just six offensive plays.
After securing the last-second win, Mujihad knows his team can only get better from this game.
“[We haven’t played] nearly our best football,” he said. “We’re just going to keep progressing following each game.”
It was an explosive start for the Euclid Panthers Friday night inside Pat Catan Stadium in Strongsville. It took Euclid just 23 seconds to find the end zone to start the game. Senior running back Jabir Mujihad’s 26-yard touchdown run started the offensive scoring for the Panthers.
The next two possessions for Euclid each consisted of two plays, with both ending in scoring plays. On their second drive quarterback Andre Rallings connected with junior wide receiver Armond Scott for a 74-yard TD. On their third and final drive of the first quarter, Mujihad broke free and scored his second touchdown of the quarter, this time from 76 yards out.
Strongsville was able to get down into Panther territory throughout the first half but failed to capitalize. After kicking two field goals in the first quarter, Strongsville was able to get deep inside the Euclid 10-yard line. Moments later, senior quarterback Tyler Wolters fumbled the ball inside the five-yard line, ultimately rolling into the end zone recovered by Euclid’s Tyronn Parks. Euclid took a 21-6 lead at halftime.
Both defenses held their own in the third quarter and heading into the fourth quarter, Strongsville was able to get down into Panther territory. Senior running back Garrett Clark took a handoff and cut to the left and found the back of the end zone from 11 yards out.
With a converted two-point conversion, Strongsville got with seven, 21-14 with just under 11 minutes to play in the game. The key throughout the night was the stout Euclid defense holding its own and they did just that in the closing minutes of the game.
“We made some changes and our defense practiced differently this week,” Rotsky explained after the game. “We improved on our tackling tonight and they held their own. It’s just a good team win.”
For the night, Euclid was able to out-gain the Mustangs 345-329. For Strongsville, senior running back finished the night with a game-high 28 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Tyler Wolters completed 12-of-20 passes for 165 yards and two interceptions.
The loss drops the Mustangs to 4-2 while Euclid remains unbeaten at 6-0 and will host Solon and Brunswick the next two weeks before a week nine matchup at Mentor.
