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A much awaited battle between the 6-0 Hudson Explorers and 5-1 Nordonia Knights kicked off week 7 of High School Football. Nordonia was led by Senior Quarterback Joey Palinkas who went 19/35 with 167 yards and 2 interceptions. Palinkas also ran 13 times for 112 yards and a Touchdown. His running back Zach Zender had 16 rushes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Finally, wideout Devin Tufts had 8 catches for 64 yards. But, that simply was not enough for the Knights to win this ball game. Hudson’s Junior running back Ian Ludewig had 38 rushes for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns. His Quarterback, senior Jagger Pallay, went 8/10 for 79 yards and also rushed 11 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. The Explorers went on to win the game 28-14.
The first quarter started out with both teams turning the ball over on downs for their first possessions. The defenses were showing out in this quarter. But with 30 seconds left in the first quarter Nordonia’s senior Quarterback would score a 1 yard rushing touchdown to take the lead 7-0. That would be the score going into the 2nd quarter.
In the second quarter the Hudson Explorers would be forced to punt after being sacked in 3rd and long on their own territory. Nordonia started with great field position on Hudson’s 36 yard line. That’s when Nordonia’s Senior running back Zach Zender would take over. Zender ran the ball down Hudson’s throats and would end up scoring on a 2 yard rushing touchdown to take the lead 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Knights would go trickery on the kickoff and recover the onside kick. Hudson was clueless and did not know what hit them, it was not looking good for the Explorers. But, luck was on their side as QB Joey Palinkas was dominating rushing the ball but would end up fumbling. Hudson would recover the fumble looking to put a scoring drive together.
They would get across the 50 yard line but then face a 4th and 8. On 4th and 8 they went for a fake punt but the Knights were all over it and would take over to try and score before half. The Explorers said not so fast though as Hudson would intercept Palinkas on the second play of that drive. Hudson was facing a 3rd and 22 late in the second quarter. Senior Quarterback Jagger Pallay would find Senior wideout Gio DePompei for a 23 yard gain to capture the first down! The Explorers would find themselves on the 1 yard line with 15 seconds left in the half. Quarterback Jagger Pallay would plunge forward on a QB sneak and score Hudson’s first points of the game to make it 14-7 Nordonia going into the half.
Coming out of halftime the Knights would go 3 and out and be forced to punt. The explorers got the ball and had their best drive of the night. Hudson ran the ball right at the Knights and they could not stop them. The Explorers would then score courtesy to Ian Ludewig on an 11 yard touchdown run. This tied the game at 14 with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Nordonia would turn the ball over on downs and give it back to Hudson.
Hudson running back Gio DePompei would break off a 49 yard run to get the explorers inside the 15 yard line. The Knights defense would stand strong though and for Hudson to kick a field goal. Hudson would try a fake though and Nordonia was all over it! The Knights would take over with 2 minutes left in the 3rd. Palinkas was leading a nice drive for Nordonia, that was until he completed a pass to the wrong team! Gio DePompei intercepted Palinkas and returned it to the 8 yard line. That would end the 3rd quarter of play heading into the 4th tied at 14 and Hudson in the red zone.
The fourth quarter would start with Hudson taking their first lead of the game! Running back Ian Ludewig continued his fantastic day with a 7 yard touchdown run. Hudson led 21-14 with 11:30 remaining in the game. Nordonia got the ball back but could not do much with it. Hudson would get possession back with around 8 minutes left in the game and go on a very time consuming drive. The Explorers were just exhausting the Knights defense with their run offense. Ludewig would end up scoring his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game for Hudson! This put the Explorers up 28-14 with 2:56 left in the game. Nordonia failed on 4th and 35 on their last drive. Hudson would win by a final score of 28-14.
The player of the game this week was Hudson Running Back Ian Ludewig.
Nordonia will play in Stow next week looking to get back in the win column.
Hudson will move on to play at home against North Royalton. The Explorers will be looking to continue their undefeated season.
