by The Hudson Explorers defeat the North Royalton Bears by a score of 42-7 in a Hudson Homecoming beatdown.
The Hudson Explorers hosted the North Royalton Bears at Hudson Memorial Stadium for the Cleveland Browns Game of the Week in a highly anticipated Week 4 matchup between two undefeated programs. Ultimately, it was the Explorers who would remain undefeated, improving to a record of 4-0, while the Bears fell to 3-1.
Last weekend, the Explorers traveled down to Akron and convincingly beat Saint Vincent Saint Marty’s by a score of 54-13, while North faced North as the Bears came off of a shootout against North Ridegville which ended 49-42 in favor of the Bears.
Tonight, there would be no such fireworks from North Royalton. However, as Hudson’s vaunted defense forced the Bears offense into hibernation, they held North Royalton to 7 points which came in garbage time. This defensive showcase was accented by 5 turnovers, with 4 coming in the first quarter alone.
The contest felt like it was over before it even started for the Bears, as they gave up a 80 yard touchdown run from #44, senior running back Reno Ferri, who tore through the defense like a wrecking ball on only the second play from scrimmage, and it didn’t get any prettier from there, as the Bears would trail 28-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Hudson’s senior quarterback, #6 Hayden Lipinski, had an efficient game, finishing with over 100 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and one on the ground. The senior signal caller found great success airing the ball out to his favorite target, senior receiver #12, Keswick Ritley, who finished the night with multiple big receptions and two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air. Lipinski shared the ball well before his final snap as he also found his second string receiver, #3 Anthony Paolucci, for a remarkable 31 yard touchdown. The Explorers also found success on the ground, as the wrecking ball running back Reno Ferri finished his night with two touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing.
Despite an impressive offensive showcase, tonight’s player of the game for Hudson actually comes from the other side of the ball as it’s awarded to junior linebacker, #9 Carter Markey, who electrified his homecoming crowd with 3 tackles and a pick 6.
Markey wasn’t the only Hudson linebacker to practice their receiving skills however, as senior #28 Aidan Rengers and senior #15 Trent Smith both intercepted a pass from Kayden Austin themselves.
Both teams are back in action next weekend as the Hudson Explorers look to remain undefeated as they travel to Nordonia to take on the Knights, while the North Royalton Bears will lick their wounds at home as they look to get back on track hosting the Wadsworth Grizzlies. Both games kick off Friday at 7:00.
Players of the Game
Hudson: #9 Carter Markey, junior linebacker
