by North Royalton, Ohio – The Holy Name Green Wave hosted the Marion-Franklin Red Devils at Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium for their home opener of the 2024 season. The Green Wave surged onto a 49-20 week three victory over the Red Devils at home.
Holy Name started off the game with the ball on their own 45-yard line. The Green Wave pounded the ball on the ground with the rain pouring in North Royalton, scoring on their first drive with an 18-yard rushing touchdown from Xavier Rodriguez to take a 7-0 lead. Marion-Franklin, taking a similar approach on the ground, took a quick jab back at Holy Name off a 73-yard rushing touchdown from Dawayne Galloway. The Red Devils decided to go for a 2-point conversion, scoring on a rush from quarterback Makhi Ali to take an 8-7 lead over the Green Wave. Holy Name took the kick return deep into Red Devil territory and scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown yet again with Xavier Rodriguez to give the Green Wave a 14-8 lead with 5:53 left in the 1st quarter. The remainder of the first quarter was alternating drives resulting in a Holy Name turnover on downs, Marion-Franklin punt, Holy Name punt, and Marion-Franklin punt. The ball remained on the ground the duration of the first quarter with the rain hammering down.
Holy Name started the second quarter with the ball on Marion-Franklin’s 41-yard line. The Green Wave scored an early 4-yard rushing touchdown by (yet again) Xavier Rodriguez (now with three rushing touchdowns in just two quarters of work) to give Holy Name a 21-8 lead on the Red Devils. The Green Wave held their ground on defense and forced a Red Devil punt, which was muffed and gave Holy Name great field position in enemy territory on the 15-yard line. Holy Name took advantage, and Xavier Rodriguez waltzed into the endzone with his fourth rushing touchdown to give the Green Wave a 28-8 lead with 6:40 left in the second quarter. Marion-Franklin, starting to feel the pressure of being down 20, launched a deep pass that was picked-off by the Green Wave secondary. This set up the Green Wave on their 40-yard line. Holy Name marched down the field and scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Harrison Frank to give the Green Wave a 35-8 lead with 2:01 left in the first half. Marion-Franklin, then started their next drive on their 35-yard line. Yet another explosive rush by Red Devils wide receiver/running back Dawayne Galloway for 59-yards resulted in a touchdown, cutting the deficit to a 35-14 lead with 1:19 remaining in the first half. The Red Devils went for a 2-point conversion and were unsuccessful. With weather being a factor, Holy Name started their next drive off with good field position. The Green Wave marched down the field, and a game-high fifth rushing touchdown for 7 yards was scored by Xavier Rodriguez, giving Holy Name a 42-14 lead going into the locker rooms at halftime.
Marion-Franklin started with the ball in the third quarter, the drive resulted in a punt that set the Green Wave up in great field position at the Red Devils’ 45-yard line. Holy Name, keeping the ball on the ground, scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown by running back Jovon Myles Jr. to give the Green Wave a 49-14 lead with 5:00 left in the third quarter. Marion-Franklin had a short drive, resulting in a punt. The Red Devils defense then came up strong to force a turnover on downs on the Green Wave to end the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Red Devils were stuck deep in their own territory but had a burst of speed from running back Dawayne Galloway, who took the ball to the house for a 90-yard rushing touchdown, making the score a 49-20 Green Wave lead. The Red Devils went for another 2-point conversion and were unsuccessful. The remainder of the game was all turnovers on both ends. Marion-Franklin forced a turnover on downs, Holy Name forced a fumble and turned it back over with a fumble of their own. Marion-Franklin fumbled the ball again on their next drive. This resulted in the Green Wave taking a knee to end the game and pick up their first home win and second win of the young season. Both teams put up a great fight on the ground with the weather being a huge factor in gameplay style.
Next Week
The Holy Name Green Wave (2-1) look to stay hot on a 2-game win streak, as they travel to Dick Hamblin Field to take on the Madison Blue Streaks; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 13th.
The Marion-Franklin Red Devils (0-3) are looking for their first win of the season as they host the Briggs Bruins at Charles A Harding Memorial Stadium; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 13th.
Player of the Game:
Xavier Rodriguez (RB)- Holy Name:
19 carries, 174 rush yards, 5 rush touchdowns; 1 reception, 16 receiving yards
Top Performers
Marion-Franklin Red Devils
Dawayne Galloway: 6 carries, 210 rush yards, 3 rush touchdowns
Holy Name Green Wave
Xavier Rodriguez: 19 carries, 174 rush yards, 5 rush touchdowns; 1 reception, 16 receiving yds
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Holy Name 7:50 – Xavier Rodriguez, 18-yard run (kick good) (7-0 Holy Name)
Marion-Franklin 6:51 – Dawayne Galloway, 73-yard run (2-pt good) (8-7 Marion-Franklin)
Holy Name 5:53 – Xavier Rodriguez, 5-yard run (kick good) (14-8 Holy Name)
2nd Quarter
Holy Name 8:32 – Xavier Rodriguez, 4-yard run (kick good) (21-8 Holy Name)
Holy Name 6:40 – Xavier Rodriguez, 15-yard run (kick good) (28-8 Holy Name)
Holy Name 2:01 – Harrison Frank, 5-yard run (kick good) (35-8 Holy Name)
Marion Franklin 1:19 – Dawayne Galloway, 59-yard run (2-pt no good) (35-14 Holy Name)
Holy Name 1:05 – Xavier Rodriquez, 7-yard run (kick good) (42-14 Holy Name)
3rd Quarter
Holy Name 5:00 – Jovon Myles Jr., 7-yard run (kick good) (49-14 Holy Name)
4th Quarter
Marion-Franklin 6:14 – Dawayne Galloway, 90-yard run (2-pt no good) (49-20 Holy Name)
Re-watch the KEE On Sports Game of the Week here: Marion-Franklin @ Holy Name
