Kee On Sports Magazine Volume 1: "The Genesis" - Page 9 of 25

High School Football Playoff preview Olmsted Falls vs Avon

By Vince McKee

Date of game – Friday November 12

Location – Strongsville’s Pat Catan Stadium

A rematch of their Week 7 clash that Avon won 41-29

Summary – Their last two matchups, week 2 in 2020 and week 7 this year have been instant classics. Olmsted Falls has already shown that they can not only play with Avon, but take them down to the wire. Is this the game they get over the hump and get the victory?

While Olmsted Falls gets labeled as a Triple Option only offense, that is far from the truth as quarterback Charlie Ciolek had a great season and proved they can throw the ball too. The Eagles will have to be ready for that. Ciolek threw for 893 yards and 12 touchdowns. While Gavin Moore may be his best deep threat there is not stopping his backs Michael Candow and Rocco Conti from taking a screen pass to the house with their speed.

Speaking of Conti, the reigning Kee On Sports SWC Player of the Year, he ran for 1029 yards in his first 10 game this season. He also caught 16 balls for 204 yards. Conti had a nose for the endzone as well, as he scored 20 total regular season touchdowns, and three 2 point conversions. Conti has picked up in the playoffs where the regular season left off. Through two playoff games, Conti has 352 yards and 6 more touchdowns.

Avon linebackers Trevor Norman, Jackson Blodgett and Gavin Ehrhardt will have their work cut out for them to stop the Bulldog rushing attack. But they are no stranger to coming up big in the biggest of moments. They will be ready and so will their secondary led by Chase Meyers who had a big pick last week against Fremont Ross.

Avon is so loaded, and has little to no weakness on the offensive side of the ball. In 10 regular season games their quarterback Sam DeTillio stepped up as one of the best players in the SWC. He threw for 1,472 yards with 22 touchdowns. As I’ve said before, those numbers are impressive but would have been even more had he not sat so many second halves with the Eagles up big and the clock running.

And while the fans focus on the Bulldog rushing attack, the Eagle one is every bit as good. Check out this threesome of the Eagle rushing bonanza. Starting tailback Jakorion Caffey put up 873 yards on only 112 carries. Gavin Ehrhardt went for 438 yards and quarterback DeTillio went for 410 yards.

This team can run, pass, and pretty much do whatever they want. Wideout Ethan Holbrook proved last weekend that he can take over a game. Holbrook had two long touchdown catches in the second half to help the Eagles pull away from the Little Giants. He also opened the scoring by returning a punt 73 yards to the house only moments into the game. His teammate Tim Conwell is every bit as tough, as shown by his 29 catches for 383 yards this season. I’ll say it again, Avon can do it all!

What does Olmsted Falls need to do to win?

Limit the turnovers! Going back to their game last year with the Eagles, and then again this year, turnovers have killed the Bulldogs. This was the case week two in their loss against Brunswick as well. They must, and I mean MUST, limit the turnovers to ZERO if they want to win this game. Avon is too damn good to give any free possessions or gifted field position too.

Avon placekicker Nathanial Vakos has not missed a field goal or extra point all year. If you turn the ball over anywhere near midfield, it’s almost a sure thing that the Eagles are getting at least 3 from Vakos, at the very least.

Coach Tom DeLuca is one of the best, he will have them ready!

What does Avon have to do to win?

Be Avon! It’s that simple. Protecting the ball and not committing silly penalties is a given, but for Avon, they just need to do what they do best. Run the ball, move the chains and let Sam make a big play with his arm when they need it. Avon is coached well, hungry and no matter what odds makers say, they have a way of playing with the fire of the underdog each and every time.