by Solon, Ohio – Last season, despite a 7-3 finish, the Aurora Greenmen failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in 13 years. This year, they came back with a vengeance.
First off, the Greenmen ended the season in first in the Portage County Top 10 High School football rankings for one reason. Their stout defense.
Throughout the regular season, they gave up an average of 4.7 points per game. The only time they gave up more than seven points came in Week 4. They gave up thirteen against Padua, but still came from behind to win. Two key standouts on defense are senior linebacker and Ohio University commit AJ Barner, and defensive end Lenny Galaska.
Wherever there is a great defense, there is also a stellar offense to go along with it. Notable offensive standouts include sophomore quarterback Alex Moore, senior running back Anthony Gramm, junior wide receiver Evan McVay, and the rest of the Greenmen offensive line.
Their offense averaged 33.4 points per game over the regular season. Their high water mark came in a 55-6 win at Tallmadge Week 5. Even when the team hasn’t scored the most points (Week 2 vs. CVCA and Week 4 vs. Padua), the team has won those tight contests on the way to a perfect season and Suburban League American Division championship.
After a nail-biting win against perennial power Steubenville to open up the postseason, they would get another victory over top-seeded New Philadelphia the week after. The Greenmen went into Friday night’s game against a hungry Chardon team looking for its first regional title in school history.
But it was far from easy. The Hilltoppers went on top 16-0 early on and seemed to have all the momentum. But like Week 4, the Greenmen defense bent, but didn’t break, pitching a shutout in the second half on the way to a huge comeback victory over Chardon, 22-19, and advancing to their first final four since 2012.
This season has been an amazing comeback story for the Greenmen. They have an opportunity to add a couple more chapters before all is said and done in 2019.
