December 26, 2024

Highland Defeats North Royalton Under The Friday Night Lights

Per VNN

On a hot summer night, the North Royalton Bears battled against the Highland Hornets but ultimately fell 50-20, marking their second loss of the season. Despite some flashes of offensive brilliance, the Bears struggled to contain Highland’s explosive plays, leading to a tough defeat.

 

1st Quarter:

 

The game started with Highland making a statement on the opening drive.#3 Lucas Gerig took a screen pass 55 yards to the house, breaking through the Bears’ defense for an early touchdown. The extra point was good, giving the Hornets a 7-0 lead.

 

The Bears responded quickly, starting from their own 36-yard line. Cam Saul #25 broke free for a 13-yard gain, and on 3rd-and-5, quarterback Joe Kinney #3 connected with Nin Piazza #7 on a 45-yard pass that brought the Bears to the Highland 5-yard line. Kinney then found Piazza again for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good #99 Sasha Sunjevaric , tying the game at 7-7 with 7:35 left in the first quarter.

 

North Royalton shocked everyone with a successful onside kick, recovered by Sasha (#99). However, the Bears’ drive stalled after a three-and-out, forcing them to punt. Highland took over deep in their own territory but managed to orchestrate a long 89-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run from #12 Casey Misner. The extra point was good, putting Highland up 14-7 with just 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Bears’ next drive went three-and-out, and the first quarter ended with the Hornets leading 14-7.

 

2nd Quarter:

 

Highland started the second quarter with favorable field position at their own 36-yard line. They quickly extended their lead with a 28-yard touchdown pass to #4. The extra point was good, making it 21-7 with 9:10 left in the second quarter.

 

The Bears, now trailing by 14, began their drive on the 20-yard line. Strong runs by Saul and #20 Mannix Wasco led to a quick first down, and Kinney then launched a 32-yard pass to Piazza, bringing the Bears to the Highland 5-yard line. Kinney completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to #88 Joey Calarco to cut the deficit, but the extra point attempt failed, making the score 21-13.

 

However, Highland responded immediately with a 69-yard touchdown pass on blown coverage by the Bears. The extra point was good, extending the lead to 28-13 with 3:37 left in the half. The Bears’ ensuing drive stalled quickly, forcing another punt. Highland capitalized on the short field, scoring again on a handoff to Misner who ran it in from the 36-yard line, sending the game into halftime with the Hornets up 35-13.

 

Halftime Score: Highland Hornets 35, North Royalton Bears 13.

 

3rd Quarter:

 

The Bears opened the second half with a solid start. On 3rd-and-5 from their own 20-yard line, Kinney hit Piazza for a spectacular one-handed 18-yard catch, moving the chains. However, the drive stalled once more, forcing another punt. North Royalton’s defense finally made a stop, halting Highland on their own 12-yard line and taking over on their own 44.

 

The Bears then mounted an impressive drive, highlighted by a long pass from Kinney to Wasco that brought them down to the 2-yard line. A personal foul pushed them back to the 17, but Kinney found Joey Nick Safranek (#9) for a 17-yard touchdown pass on the next play. The extra point was good, narrowing the deficit to 35-20 with 4:58 left in the third quarter.

 

Highland, however, had another quick answer. Starting on their own 16-yard line, Misner broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, pushing the lead to 42-20. The Bears’ next drive saw them gain one first down but fall short on a 4th down attempt, giving Highland the ball on the Bears’ 32-yard line. The third quarter ended with Highland leading 42-20.

 

4th Quarter:

 

The Hornets continued their dominance into the fourth quarter, driving down to the Bears’ 11-yard line as the quarter began. Misner scored once more from 11 yards out, and Highland converted a two-point attempt to trigger a running clock with a commanding 50-20 lead.

 

The Bears’ defense had no answer for Highland’s relentless offense, and despite the efforts of Kinney, Piazza, and the rest of the offense, the Bears could not mount a comeback. The game ended with Highland firmly in control.

 

Final Score: Highland Hornets 50, North Royalton Bears 20.

Vince McKee

Vince is the Owner of KEE On Sports Media Group. A company built on the very best in sports coverage and broadcasts of High School Sports, Boxing, NPSL Soccer, and everything the sports fans of Northeast Ohio want to know about. He is the play by play man for Ohio Boxing, as well as Cleveland SC of the NPSL. Vince is also a 12x published author who has interviewed everyone from Jim Thome & Austin Carr to Bill Belichick and Frankie Edgar.

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