by MACEDONIA, Ohio – In the first quarter, the Bees started the game with a quick 3-and-out, bringing the punting unit out. Nordonia’s quarterback, Steven Fakult, threw an interception on the first play to sophomore linebacker Christopher Soeder. The Bees would capitalize on the interception with a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nate Heneger to wide receiver Patrick Murphy. Despite the missed extra point, the Bees took an early 6-0 lead.
Following the score, Nordonia ran an empty formation set down the field where Fakult connected with wide receiver Dominick Jackson for the 12-yard touchdown. Their extra point was also no good as it was blocked, tying the game 6-6 with 5:16 to play in the quarter. With 45 seconds to play in the quarter, the Bees went for it on 4th & 12, which was unsuccessful, giving Nordonia the ball on the Bees’ 36-yard line. The score was tied 6-6 after the first.
Nordonia opened up the second quarter with the punt team. Brecksville drove the ball down the field, where Heneger would find his wide receiver, Patrick Murphy, for the 25-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, and the Bees led 13-6 with 3:39 to play in the quarter. Nordonia drove the ball down the field, looking to score before the half. Kicker Jackson Neal would attempt a 37-yard field goal before the half. The kick fell short, and the Bees led Nordonia 13-6 at the half.
Out of halftime, running back Connor Whapham carried the ball three plays in a row, but the drive stalled early in the 3rd quarter. The Bees get the ball on their own 44-yard line with 10:19 to play. On 3rd & 10 for Brecksville, Heneger threw a deep ball for an incompletion. On the punt, Dominick Jackson had a good return, giving Nordonia the ball at midfield. On the second play of the drive, Nordonia set up the flea-flicker where Fakult threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Collin Atha. A bad snap on the extra point resulted in a missed kick. The Bees still led 13-12 with 8:34 to play in the third.
The Bees struggled to get the offense moving in the second half as they had no first downs. On the other hand, Nordonia’s offense would roll down the field as running back Connor Whapham punched in a 3-yard touchdown run. Special teams executed a perfect trick play when the snapper snapped the ball directly to kicker Jackson Neal, and he threw a completion for the 2-point conversion. The Knights led 20-13 at the end of the third quarter.
Nordonia’s offense stayed aggressive in the 4th quarter, going for it on multiple 4th downs. Nordonia looked to Connor Whapham to run the clock out as he ran the ball down the field, which set up a 28-yard kick from Neal to seal the deal. The kick was good, and the Knights led 23-13. The Bees, looking for life, would continue to stall out. On the final drive, the Bees threw four straight incompletions, and the Knights would run the clock out. Nordonia stays perfect, and the Bees fall to 2-2.
Players of the game:
Brecksville-Broadview Heights wide receiver Patrick Murphy had 3 catches for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Nordonia Knights running back Connor Whapham had 31 carries for 179 yards.
