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The backyard rivalry kicked off week 5 of high school football here in Ohio. The 1-3 Twinsburg Tigers look to upset their hated rival 4-0 Nordonia Knights on their homecoming night. The Knights had other plans. Nordonia was led by Senior Quarterback Joey Palinkas who went 17/28 for 160 yards and 4 TD’s. He also ran 10 times for 76 yards. His running back Zach Zender had 11 rushes for 46 yards and a TD while also catching 2 passes for 21 yards and a TD.
Palinkas’ favorite target was wideout Devin Tufts who had 5 catches for 53 yards and 2 TD’s. Twinsburg had some nice efforts though as their Quarterback CJ Lyden went 13/18 for 119 yards and 2 interceptions. Running back Quincy Newsom had 13 carries for 48 yards and also caught 4 passes for 22 yards. Tigers wide receiver Steven Cammack had 6 catches for 54 yards. In the end, Nordonia was too much for the Tigers and they would win 33-3.
Both teams got off to a tough start, Twinsburg went 3 and out on their first possession. But, Twinsburg Junior cornerback Rob Cocroft would pick off a pass from Nordonia QB Joey Palinkas. The Tigers had momentum but when they got inside the 15, QB CJ Lyden would end up fumbling and the Knights recovered. Joey Palinks would then dice up the Tiger defense with his feet and arm and drive all the way down to the 9 yard line. That’s when Palinkas would throw a strike into the end zone to Senior wideout Tucker Rusk for a TD. Nordonia led 7-0 when they kicked off, but disaster struck for the Tigers. They would end up fumbling the return and Nordonia recovered and took over at the Tigers 27 yard line to end the first quarter.
The Tigers defense would force a turnover on downs to get momentum back though. Their offense led by CJ Lyden and running back Quincy Newsom would lead them down the field to the 5 yard line and put them in great scoring position. But, the knights held them to a field goal attempt. On that field goal attempt Nordonia was called for a penalty and it gave the Tigers a first down. Nordonia would hold strong though and this time Twinsburg would knock in the field goal to make it 7-3 Nordonia with 4:47 remaining in the half. Palinkas again took control as he carved up this Tigers defense left and right.
He would lead the Knights down to the 4 yard line and wild find Senior Running Back Zach Zender for a 4 yard touchdown pass. The Knights made the PAT and led 14-3 with 2 minutes left in the half. Nordonia would then go tricky on the kick and recover the onside kick and take over on Twinsburg’s 39 yard line. But, the Tigers defense would stand strong and force a turnover on downs. At the half The Knights led 14-3 over the Tigers.
To start the 3rd quarter Palinkas would get a first down but then throw his second interception of the game to the Tigers cornerback Steve Cammack. This would mean nothing as Nordonia defensive pack Ryan Atha would end up getting his very own interception and returning it to the Tiger 30 yard line. Nordonia would find paydirt after Palinkas got them inside the 5. Palinkas found Senior wideout Devin Tufts for a 4 yard receiving touchdown to take the lead 21-3 in the 3rd quarter. Twinsburg would take over, but not for long. A handoff to Quincy Newsom was fumbled and the Knights fell on it inside the red zone. From there, senior running back Zach Zender broke down the Tigers defense as he dominated the ground on this drive.
Zender would end up scoring a 1 yard touchdown run. Twinsburg would be offside and this made Nordonia try for 2. Nordonia would fail the 2 point try and lead 27-3 midway through the 3rd quarter. The Tigers disaster of a 3rd quarter would continue as on the first play of the next drive the Tigers would fumble the ball and the Knights recovered. On Nordonias first play, Palinkas would drop back and throw a laser to wideout Devin Tufts for his second touchdown of the game. Nordonia would miss the extra point, but still lead 33-3. This would be the score at the end of the 3rd as well.
In the 4th quarter Nordonia had the ball and was driving once again. The Tiger defense held the Knights high power offense to a 4th down. On 4th down, Nordonia would kick a field goal but it would come up just short. Twinsburg got the ball on their own 20 yard line. But, Twinsburg’s offense continued its struggles and would come up short on a 4th and 1. Nordonia takes over on the Tigers 29 yard line. But, Nordonia would end up missing another field goal to keep the lead 33-3. Twinsburg would drive down the field but it would end in an interception by Nordonia. Final score 33-3 Nordonia over Twinsburg.
The player of the game this week is Nordonia Wide Receiver Devin Tufts. Tufts had 5 catches for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Next week Nordonia heads on the road to play Wadsworth.
Twinsburg will head to Solon to take on the Comets.
