by After falling behind 7-0 early, Midview outscored Westlake 34-7 the rest of the way to seal a dominant 34-14 victory to kick off the 2024 campaign. Junior quarterback Shay Williams proved a true dual-threat for the Middies, rushing for 100 yards, a touchdown, and throwing a touchdown. Senior quarterback Sam Brucchieri led the way for Westlake, finishing with 126 yards through the air and scoring a touchdown on the ground.
Demons Strike First
Westlake received the opening kickoff and immediately marched down the field. On the 16th play of the drive, Brucchieri took a brutal hit and coughed up the ball, giving the Middies first and ten from their own 12. On the very first play, a failed handoff caused a fumble that was scooped up by Jake Ostrowski, who returned it for a touchdown to give the Demons a 7-0 lead.
Junior Michael Passerrello Jr. took the ensuing kickoff all the way into Westlake territory, setting Midview up at the 31-yard line. Four plays later, Marcus McMahon plowed into the endzone from a yard out to tie the game at 7-7.
Early in the second quarter, a bad punt by the Middies set up Westlake with great field position at the Midview 45. On the eigth play of the drive, Brucchieri called his own number and scored a six yard touchdown, making the score 14-7. In the aftermath of the score, there were two penalties on Midview that allowed Westlake to kick off from the Middie 30 yard line.
Despite starting the drive on their own nine yard line, Midview marched down the field and scored on a three yard run from Passerrello Jr. to tie things up at 14-14. A big late hit out of bounds and a 35-yard run from McMahon covered a majority of the yardage on the drive. Westlake would threaten with just under five minutes remaining, but their drive stalled out near midfield.
Penalties Galore
After quite a few flags were thrown in the first half, the third quarter alone had eight penalties. On their opening drive of the half, Midview covered 65 yards in just six plays as Cameron West took it the last five for a Middie touchdown, putting them ahead 21-14.
After blocking a Westlake punt, Midview took over their next drive on the Demon 48. It appeared Midview would score as Dior Jones leaped above two defenders and took it 58 yards for the touchdown, but offensive pass interference was called. Four plays later, Williams hooked up with Passerrello Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown, extending the Middie lead to 28-14.
Unfortunately for Westlake, their offense could not find a rhythm in the second half as they were held scoreless. Midview was not done scoring yet though, as a 42-yard field goal from Peyton Ansel and a 45-yard field goal from Ethan Morris would extend the lead to 34-14, which held until the final whistle.
Keys to the Game
Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and this one was no different. When the Demons gave Brucchieri time to throw he was able to move the offense down the field. But as the game wore on, Midview won in the trenches and were able to keep the Westlake quarterback off balance.
Offensively for the Middies, they pounded the rock on the ground, only attempting six passes on the evening. With Westlake constantly showing a double team on wide receiver Dior Jones, Midview found a lot of success running the ball between the tackles.
Next Week
Westlake will look to get into the win column for the first time in 2024 next Friday night as they host Rhodes. The Rams fell to Hawken 42-0 in Week 1.
Midview will look to extend their hot start next week as they host North Olmsted. The Eagles took a 48-0 loss to rival North Ridgeville in Week 1.
Top Performers
Westlake Demons
Sam Brucchieri: 19-34 126 yards 10 carries 21 yards TD
Chace Kelly: 8 catches 63 yards
Chris Campbell: 6 catches 33 yards
Midview Middies
Shay Williams: 3-6 29 yards TD 11 carries 100 yards
Michael Passerrello Jr.: 7 carries 36 yards TD 1 catch 14 yards TD
Marcus McMahon: 11 carries 61 yards TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Westlake 5:04- Jake Ostrowski, 14-yard fumble recovery (kick good)
Midview 3:32- Marcus McMahon, 1-yard run (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Westlake 6:46- Sam Brucchieri, 5-yard run (kick good)
Midview 4:56- Michael Passerrello Jr., 3-yard run (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Midview 9:44- Cameron West, 5-yard run (kick good)
Midview 5:39- Shay Williams to Michael Passerrello Jr., 14 yards (kick good)
Midview 0:03- Peyton Ansel 42-yard field goal
4th Quarter
Midview 1:42- Ethan Morris 45-yard field goal
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Westlake |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
| Midview |
7 |
7 |
17 |
3 |
34 |
