by AVON LAKE, OH- Powder filled the sky at Avon Lake High School tonight, specifically 8 times, as the Shoremen topped the Midview Middies 56-7. The Shoremen were not going to allow another upset this year, as they showed out in every aspect tonight.
The white-out homecoming crowd was loud from start to finish, as the Shoremen show was on full display. Jeremy Dzik, Wade Nelson, and to be quite frank the whole receiving corps, were unstoppable all night.
To start the game, ALHS marched right down the field into Middie territory. On 4th and 5, Coach Matt Kostelnik did not hesitate to go for it and it worked out beautifully. Dzik found fellow Senior Isaac Richardson for a 23 yard touchdown to open up the scoring just 3 minutes into the game.
After a quick stop by the Shoremen defense, they got the ball back, this time deep into Midview territory. A bad snap on the punt lead to a turnover on downs where ALHS would take over on the 7-yard line. The ensuing play, star running back Wade Nelson started his big night with a touchdown run.
Another quick Avon Lake stop forced Midview to punt again with about 5 left to go in the first quarter. The next snap, Wade Nelson took a 66 yard carry to the crib to make the game 21-0.
After a nice return by Midview Senior Dane West, QB Marc Reed hit Ethan Beitel for a big 37 yard pick up. When momentum seemed to swing for the Middies, the ALHS defense had enough. The ensuing play was a 6 yard strip sack, but MHS recovered. Another stop for the Shoremen D followed, and the ball was in Jeremy Dzik’s hands again.
As ALHS was driving, they were faced with a third and long. The connection of Dzik and Matthew Stuewe was clicking on Homecoming as Dzik spun out of 2 linemen’s grasp, finding the wide open Stuewe for a gain of 29. The Shoremen continued to carve, driving down to the Middie 5. On 4th and 2, Coach Kostelnik opted to go for it again, and again a TD followed. Dzik found his man Stuewe again, this time for a 5 yard TD catch.
As the Shoremen D kept doing their thing, Avon Lake got the ball again. Sophomore Anthony Benedict was carrying the load, averaging about 13 yards a carry. Driving down to the 2 yard line, Dane West read the play perfectly, picking off Dzik. West ran it back to the Shoremen 20, but was incredibly caught by Wade Nelson, who the pass was intended for in the endzone.
The Shoremen defense forced another turnover on downs, this time in their own redzone for the first time.
Again ALHS responded forcing a 3 and out. Dzik continued to carve up the Middie defense, leading the Shoremen offense again. Wade Nelson finished the drive off, banging home his third and last TD of the night with 55 seconds left in the half.
The Shoremen picked up right where they left off in the first half, forcing another stop right when they got out of the locker room. Dzik, Stuewe, and Benedict continued to look sharp, as the drive was capped off by another Stuewe tuddy.
Late in the third, Sophomore QB Alex Affolter entered the game. As Jeremy Dzik exited, younger brother Jacob came in to run routes. His night was highlighted with an 18 yard touchdown reception from Affolter to make it 49-0.
As the clock continued to click, the Middies showed no let down. They kept grinding and playing hard which resulted in a 70 yard drive ending in a touchdown. Their lone points were scored by Chris Mescuda on a 13 yard TD run.
As, 3 minutes remained, the backups were in for Avon Lake. As time ran down, Junior Jake Bova didn’t hear no bell. He took a 71 yard run to the house to make it 56-7 Shoremen.
The players of the game again have to go to the three headed monster of Dzik, Nelson, and Stuewe. Dzik finished with 178 passing yards and 3 touchdowns going 13/17 in the air. He was nearly perfect tonight. Nelson also had a huge night, going for 95 rushing yard and 3 touchdowns himself. Lastly, Matthew Stuewe was unstoppable catching 6 passes for 99 yards, and shockingly caught his first, and second touchdown of the season.
For the Middies, Dane West deserves a shoutout for doing it all. He had one interception, 3 nice catches, and close to 100 receiving yards.
Avon Lake improves to 5-1, as Midview goes to 2-4.
