by Avon Lake, OH: The Highland Hornets (3-0) scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter to take down Avon Lake (0-3) 34-7. While the Shoremen kept Mr. Football candidate Casey Myser in check (19-85-1), quarterback Grady Gibb had himself a ballgame, going for over 100 yards through the air and on the ground, accounting for four touchdowns. Senior Aidan Stewart led the way for Avon Lake with four catches for 62 yards.
First Half
Highland received the opening kickoff and wasted no time getting to work, picking up 22 yards on its first play from scrimmage. Eleven plays later, Myser took the handoff to the right and stretched for a one-yard touchdown, putting the Hornets up 7-0 early.
Aidan Stewart caught the ensuing kickoff and ran 59 yards to give the Shoremen great field position. Facing third and five, Ezra Jones took the handoff 11-yards to tie things up at 7-7. On the second play of the second quarter, Gibb found Lucas Gerding on a screen pass and he raced 38 yards to put Highland up 14-7.
Avon Lake pushed their next possession into Hornets’ territory but came up a yard short on fourth down. Taking over near midfield, it took nine plays to cash in when Gibb called his own number and ran for a nine-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked by Mason Ambrose, making the score 20-7 Hornets.
The ensuing Shoremen would only last two plays as Chris Metzger picked off Dawson TenBrink, giving Highland another possession near midfield. Three plays later, Gibb found Evan Foust for a 39-yard score, extending their lead to 27-7 late in the second.
The Hornets would get one more possession in the half and did not let the opportunity go to waste. Down inside the redzone, Gibb threw another touchdown pass, this time to Dylan Lazar to make the score 34-7 at the half.
Second Half
Despite trailing by four scores, the Avon Lake offense did not back down. They took their opening possession of the half deep into Highland territory but were stalled again, this time by an interception from Liam Zielinski, who returned it down to the Shoremen ten. For the first time all night, the Highland offense stalled as a missed field goal sailed past the uprights.
In what felt like deja vu, Avon Lake would drive deep into Highland territory but turned it over yet again, this time courtesy of an interception by Nick Dobkowski. It would happen one more time to the Shoremen in the fourth, as Dobkowski came up with another pick.
When the clock struck zero, the Highland Hornets walked away with a convincing 34-7 victory that was never in doubt.
Keys to the Game
Everybody in Northeast Ohio knows what Casey Myser brings to the table and there is no doubt he is an earl season favorite for Mr. Football. Credit has to go to the Shoremen defense for keeping one of the best backs in the state under 100 yards.
But even more credit has to go to senior quarterback Grady Gibb. With their main offensive weapon bottled up, Gibb showed just how difficult the Hornets will be to beat, going 12-13 through the air for 173 yards and three scores, adding 124 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Next Week
Avon Lake will look to break into the win column for the first time next week when they open up SWC play with a trip to Midview (3-0).
Highland continues their undefeated start and will look to keep the good times rolling next week when they host Aurora (1-2) next Friday night.
Top Performers
Highland Hornets
Grady Gibb: 12-13 173 yards 3 TD 11 carries 124 yards TD
Casey Myser: 19 carries 85 yards TD
Avon Lake Shoremen
Aidan Stewart: 4 catches 62 yards 59-yard kick return
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Highland 6:26- Casey Myser, 1-yard run (kick good)
Avon Lake 3:18- Ezra Jones, 11-yard run (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Highland 11:14- Grady Gibb to Lucas Gerding, 28 yards (kick good)
Highland 5:28- Grady Gibb, 9-yard run (kick blocked)
Highland 3:23- Grady Gibb to Evan Foust, 39 yards (kick good)
Highland 0:34- Grady Gibb to Dylan Lazar, 12 yards (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Highland | 7 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Avon Lake | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
