Late Game Heroics Lift Brecksville-Broadview Heights Over Copley

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Broadview Heights, OH: Trailing by one with less than two minutes left, Brecksville (4-3) drove 86 yards, scoring with eight seconds remaining to take down Copley (5-2) 26-21. Sophomore Colin Zurowski stepped into the role of starting quarterback for the Bees and shined, throwing for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Peyton Williams also stepped up big for Brecksville, touching the ball 13 times and racking up 123 yards with a touchdown. For the Indians, quarterback Dane Wininger went 15-27 for 247 yards and a touchdown.

First Half

Copley received the opening kickoff and quickly moved across midfield, working their way to the Bees’ 31. Facing a third and five, Peyton Williams picked off Wininger to halt the momentum. Unfortunately for Brecksville, their drive started at the three and they were forced to punt. The defense then forced a punt, giving the offense the ball at their 27.

Despite not seeing any action on the opening drive, Tut Matchittom made his presence felt on the second possession, carrying the ball eight times. After Matchittom got them down near the goal line, Tyler Soeder plowed in from a yard out to put Brecksville on the board. The special teams unit caught the Indians napping, and the Bees converted a two-point attempt to take an 8-0 lead late in the first.

After the defense forced its second straight punt, Brecksville took over on its own 38. The Bees started off the drive on the ground, rushing five straight plays and moving the ball into Copley territory. A shovel pass completion from Colin Zurowski to Peyton Williams moved the ball to the 20. Two plays later the pair connected again, this time for a 14. This time the extra point attempt missed, giving the Bees a 14-0 lead that would carry into the half.

Second Half

Brecksville received the second half kickoff and it looked like they’d roll all the way to the end zone, until Danny Neimczura picked off Zurowski to halt the drive. Backed up on their own three, the Copley offense came alive for the first time. A completion from Wininger to Noah Slattery picked up 38 yards, moving the ball near midfield. After a holding call backed them up the two connected again, this time for a 60-yard touchdown, drawing the Indians closer at 14-7.

Facing adversity for the first time, the Brecksville offense responded with a long, time consuming drive. Taking nearly seven minutes off the game clock, the Bees ran the ball 11 straight times, covering 64 yards, capped off by a two-yard touchdown run. The extra point then hit the upright, putting Brecksville in front 20-7 early in the fourth quarter.

In contrast to the grueling drive by Brecksville, Copley used a quick strike offense to cover 62 yards in five plays. Facing a third and five, Wininger connected with Alex Teixeira for a 46-yard touchdown, drawing the Indians closer at 20-14.

After forcing a turnover on downs, Copley’s offense came back onto the field with just under six minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the drive stalled out quickly and the Indians were forced to punt. As the returner fielded the ball, it bounced off his chest and a dogpile ensued. Copley came out with the ball, giving them new life. Facing 2nd & 14, Wininger connected with Noah Slattery who made a beautiful toe-tap catch in the front of the end zone. The extra point sailed through the uprights, giving Copley a 21-20 lead with 1:47 remaining.

Not Done Yet

Down to their third string quarterback, Brecksville relied heavily on the run game up until this point. Taking over at their own 14 yard line with 1:41 remaining, the ground game wasn’t an option. A 24-yard completion from Zurowski to Deacon Toth moved the ball out near the 50. Three straight completions to Bryndan Williams picked up 25 yards, and another completion to Toth moved the ball down to the one.

With the Copley defense loading the box, Zurowski found Peyton Williams for a one-yard touchdown, capping a thrilling drive and putting Brecksville up 26-20 with just eight seconds remaining. Copley would run one more play but the Bees forced a fumble, sealing a huge 26-20 victory.

Next Week

Copley drops to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Suburban League American Conference. The Indians look to get back into the win column next week when they host Twinsburg (1-6). The Tigers got their first win of the season with a 26-6 victory over Barberton.

The win moves Brecksville to 4-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Suburban League American Conference. The Bees look to extend their win streak to two next week when they travel to Aurora (2-5). The Greenmen lost their Week 7 contest 21-8 at Kenston.

Top Performers

Copley Indians

Dane Wininger: 15-27 247 yards 2 TD INT

Jacob Kuczkowski: 6 catches 77 yards TD

Noah Slattery: 4 catches 80 yards TD

Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees

Colin Zurowski: 13-19 137 yards 2 TD INT

Tut Matchittom: 18 carries 101 yards

Peyton Williams: 6 catches 45 yards 2 TD   7 carries 78 yards

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Brecksville 0:36- Tyler Soder, 1-yard run (2pt. good)

2nd Quarter

Brecksville 5:09- Colin Zurowski to Peyton Williams, 14 yards  (kick no good)

3rd Quarter

Copley 6:09- Dane Wininger to Jacob Kuczkowski, 60 yards (kick good)

4th Quarter

Brecksville 11:19- 2-yard run (kick no good)

Copley 9:49- Dane Wininger to Alex Teixeira, 46 yards (kick good)

Copley 1:47- Dane Wininger to Noah Slattery, 14 yards (kick good)

Brecksville 0:08- Colin Zurowski to Peyton Williams, 1-yard (kick no good)