by This game started with a surprise onside kick by Ursuline, which they were able to recover at Port Clinton’s 44-yard line and steal the opening possession. The Fighting Irish were able to move all the way to the 29-yard line but unfortunately they were stopped on a 4th down conversion try and turned the ball over on downs to the Redskins.
Port Clinton started their first drive at their own 29-yard line after stopping Ursuline on downs, but they could not muster any momentum and was forced to punt the ball after going three and out. Ursuline took advantage of a poor line drive punt that gave them the ball at the Redskin’s 43-yard line.
This time the Fighting Irish was able to capitalize on their exceptional field position and used three plays to score the game’s first touchdown on a 33-yard run by DeMarcus McElroy. Ursuline 8 Port Clinton 0 (2pt Conv. Good) With the momentum not in their favor at this time, Port Clinton looked to answer the Ursuline score, but just as in their initial drive, they were forced to punt after going 3 and out. Ursuline started their next drive on their own 42-yard line, and they started to wield control of this game and of Port Clinton.
The Fighting Irish used their ground and air game to move 58 yards in less than 3 minutes and score their second touchdown on an 8-yard run by McElroy. Ursuline 15 Port Clinton 0 (PAT Good). Port Clinton now in desperation mode and not wanting to let this game get out of hand, started their drive with good field position and used this fortune to move the ball to the Ursuline 6-yard line as the quarter ended.
2nd Quarter
The Redskins with the ball at the Fighting Irish’s 6-yard line, must have had lady luck on their side because on the second play of the quarter they were able to score on a ball that was tipped away from the initial receiver but caught in the back of the endzone by the Redskin’s Josh Hurst for a 6-yard touchdown catch. Ursuline 15 Port Clinton 7 (PAT Good).
Ursuline received the ball at their own 19-yard line due to a penalty that wiped away a good kickoff return at the 9:30 mark. Just as in their last couple of possessions, the Fighting Irish used both their arms and their legs to move the ball into Redskin’s territory. Unfortunately for Ursuline, they turned the ball over on downs at the Port Clinton 20-yard line.
Port Clinton looked to build on the momentum that they now had, but a penalty wiped out a big 40-yard pass play. The Redskins, grasping for a big splash after that penalty, was gifted with a roughing the passer penalty that nullified an interception that was initially retuned for an Ursuline touchdown.
With a new set of downs and at midfield, Port Clinton went to the ground with multiple backs and moved to ball all the way to Ursuline’s 6-yard line with 2:28 left in the half. After a timeout, Port Clinton was able to score on a 6-yard quarterback keeper from Cam Gillum. Ursuline 15 Port Clinton 14 (PAT Good).
Ursuline, trying to get the momentum back on their side, started their drive at their own 44-yard line, but they could not generate much on the side of positive yards and was forced to punt the ball with :30 left on the clock. The Redskins received the ball at their own 23-yard line and ran the ball twice before ending the half only down by 1 point.
3rd Quarter
The second half started with Ursuline receiving the ball and after miss handling the kickoff return, they started at their own 5-yard line. The Fighting Irish pummeled the Redskins with a heavy dose of runs by McElroy, that resulted in them reaching the Port Clinton 39-yard line, but they could not convert on a 4th and 2 run by McElroy and turned the ball over on downs. At the 9:30 mark, Port Clinton took over and started their drive at their own 40-yard line.
The Redskins pounded the ball with their own run game, getting all the way down to the Ursuline 3-yard line and scoring on a 20-yard field goal to take the lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter. Port Clinton 17 Ursuline 15. Ursuline started this drive at their own 33-yard line, moving quickly, they were able to score in a minute’s time. Mixing in quick pass plays and some runs, the Fighting Irish was able to take back the lead on a 33-yard touch run by McElroy. Ursuline 21 Port Clinton 17 (2pt Conv. No Good). Ursuline with good field position at their own 41-yard line, looked to take back the lead as the 3rdquarter ends.
4th Quarter
Port Clinton, needing to make some positive noise on this possession, tried to go to air and surprise Ursuline, but they were able to stop them from getting a first down and forced the Redskins to punt the ball. Ursuline, now with the ball at their own 33-yard line, was able to get a first down on the ground but could not achieve another first down and were forced to punt the ball to Port Clinton at the Redskin’s 47-yard line.
With 9:30 left and the game looking like it will be decided on the next few possessions, the Redskins could not move the ball into the Fighting Irish territory and punted the ball to Ursuline’s 24-yard line. Ursuline used a screen pass play from Gillum to McElroy to move the ball 54 yards to Port Clinton’s 22-yard line, before completing a 16-yard pass play to get down to the 4-yard line. Handing the ball off twice to McElroy, he was able to score a touchdown from the 2-yard line. Ursuline 27 Port Clinton 17 (PAT No Good).
Port Clinton down by 10 points and 5:01 remaining in the game, received the kickoff and started their drive on their own 41-yard line. After a couple of short passes and a quarterback keeper, the Redskins were able to move the chains and continue their drive with a little over 4 minutes left on the game clock, unfortunately a holding penalty stalled their drive and moved them back to the Fighting Irish’s 34-yard line after completing a pass that got them to the 24-yard line.
With a need for a little luck on their side, Port Clinton tried scoring quickly on long pass plays but after two incompletions, a sack, and short completion, the Redskins turned the ball over on downs at the Ursuline 24-yard line. The Fighting Irish, looking to extinguish any Redskins hopes, handed the ball off to McElroy and on this one play he rumbled 74 yards for his fifth touchdown of the night, putting a presumed end to this game with 2:33 left on the clock. Ursuline 34 Port Clinton 17 (PAT Good).
With only a miracle of hope left in the Redskins, Ursuline’s defense went into prevent mode and only allowed short intermediate passes, which only permitted Port Clinton to get down to Ursuline’s 35-yard line before time ran out on the game.
Final Ursuline 34 Port Clinton 17
PLAYERS OF THE GAME-
Ursuline Fighting Irish- #6 DeMarcus McElroy- 28 rushes for 260 yards, 5 rushing td, 1 catch for 54 yards
Port Clinton Redskins- #7 Cam Gillum- 11 of 24 for 117 yards passing, 15 rushes for 67 yards, 1 rushing td, 1 passing td, 1 interception
