by Elyria – The road for the OHSAA division 2 playoffs stops in Elyria as the #1 ranked Avon Eagles (14-0) take on the #2 ranked Highland Hornets (13-1) in the regional finals for region 6. It was a wet, windy, and cold night, perfect for football The Eagles are coming off a 41-10 victory over #5 Wadsworth. The Hornets are coming off a 38-14 against #3 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne. Highland’s late comeback falls short, and Avon takes the game, 28-20.
First Half
Avon received the opening kickoff and got things started. Wasting no time, quarterback #5 Nolan Good would sneak out of the pocket and weave his way for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. Avon would then kick it off the Highland who would fumble, allowing Avon to take possession at the 39-yard line. With the short field, Avon would have no trouble running down the field and scoring the second touchdown on a 2-yard run to #16 Tyler Kauffman.
Highland finally saw their first chance with the ball, but they were stopped by the mighty Avon defense who forced it over on downs. Highland then forced Avon to punt and on the ensuing drive, Highland then turned it over on downs again. Avon determined not to be stopped, handed it off to #8 Matt Maxey, who punched it in from 58-yards out.
Highland would then take over. They finally got something going, relying on the legs of #25 Casey Myser and #3 Luke Berkmeyer. It would be #25 Myser who would punch it in for Highland, getting them on the board for the first time. That Highland drive would knock off 8 minutes on the clock. Avon would receive the kickoff and try to get something done, but the Highland defense proved to be too much, and they would go into the half with Avon up, 21-7.
Second Half
Highland received the second-half kickoff and got things started for the last half. On this opening drive, Highland was able to capitalize. Highland would take 6 minutes off of the clock and would score. It was an 18-yard touchdown run from #25 Casey Myser. Avon’s drive would run through the end of the third quarter, taking 6-minutes off the clock. At the start of the third quarter, Avon would score a touchdown off a 4-yard run by #5 Good. Highland would get the ball back with just over 11 minutes remaining. They start a methodical drive, converting on two crucial fourth downs in the process.
This drive kept Highland’s hope alive as #25 Myser would reach the end zone yet again. Avon was able to surge ahead and block the PAT. This would conclude another 6-minute drive from Highland.
Avon would get the ball back but was not able to do much offensively. After grabbing some hard-fought first downs, Avon was forced to punt. Highland would get one last chance to march down the field and the potential to force overtime. The offense seemed to be clicking and they were moving down the field very quickly. When it mattered most, the ball was overthrown and Avon intercepted it. Avon would run the clock out and win it 28-20.
Players of The Game:
For Avon, it was hard to choose, but it would have to be Quarterback #5 Nolan Good. #5 Good grabbed 131 yards on the ground and 2 rushing touchdowns. In the air, he completed 4 of 7 passes for 48 yards.
For Highland, the player of the game was #25 Casey Myser, who grabbed 117 yards on the ground and 3 rushing touchdowns. As well as 54 receiving yards on 5 catches.
#1 Avon (14-0) will move on to the state semifinals and play next week at a neutral site.
