by Mayfield headed into Nordonia looking to crash their senior night, but the Knights did not let that happen. Nordonia’s Senior QB Joey Palinkas went 17/22 for 216 yards 3 TD’s and an interception. Palinkas also had 8 rushes for 67 yards and 2 TD’s. For a total of 283 all purpose yards and 5 TD’s.
He got help from fellow Senior RB Zach Zender who rushed 15 times for 32 yards and caught 3 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. Senior WR Devin Tufts, was Palinkas favorite target with 6 catches for 72 yards.
Mayfield put up a good fight with Junior QB Rocco Monastero going 5/11 for 87 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was Junior WR, Dylan Parnell who had 4 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats also got major help from Senior RB Anthony Santoro who rushed 8 times for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Nordonia would come out on top winning 48-27 on their senior night.
Mayfield would start with the ball and they started hot! Junior QB Rocco Monastero threw a laser to Junior WR Dylan Parnell for a 57 yard touchdown and go ahead 7-0 early in the first. Nordonia’s first possession went no where and Mayfield got the ball back but did nothing with it.
Nordonia got the ball back and had a nice drive finished off with a TD on a screen pass from Senior QB Joey Palinkas to Senior Running back Zach Zender for 26 yards. Nordonia would complete a 2pt conversion and lead 8-7. Mayfield was forced to punt on the next drive but, it was blocked by the Knights and returned to the three yard line. Joey Palinkas would end up running in a 5 yard TD to go ahead 15-7 at the end of the 1st.
The wildcats couldn’t get the juice they started with and went three and out. On the first play Senior Running Back for Nordonia, Tracy Walker, ran a 67 yard TD. Walker looked like prime Marshawn Lynch out there plowing through defenders and making them miss on this amazing run. Nordonia would then fumble the snap on the PAT and lead 21-7.
The Wildcats ended up failing a 4th down try as they could not move the ball against this fierce Knights defense. On the Knights next possession they would get tricky and fake a field goal but end up dropping the pass that would’ve been a walk in TD. Mayfield took over on downs, but would end up going three and out again.
Nordonia had to go 80+ yards if they wanted to score before the half, and they did just that. Thanks to QB Joey Palinkas the Knights got all the way down the field and with two seconds left he would throw an eleven yard TD pass to Senior WR Nolan Cribbs. Nordonia led 27-7 at half.
Palinkas showed no sign of slowing down coming out of the half. He drove the Knights all the way down the field once again and would throw a 26 yard TD to Junior WR Mike Ebert. The Knights led 34-7. Mayfield could not respond as backup QB Aidan Arth entered the game due to an injury suffered from their starter in the first half.
However and Nordonia would take over but not for long. Palinkas dropped back to pass and would be picked off. The Wildcats returned it to the 3 yard line hoping for a score. Senior RB Anthony Santoro would end up punching it in the end zone for the wildcats. Mayfield missed the PAT and was behind 34-13.
Nordonia’s next drive was a three and out, until Mayfield fumbled the punt return and Nordonia took over at mid field. Nordonia led 34-13 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter was a wild one. Palinkas started it off with an 8 yard rushing TD to put Nordonia up 41-13. Mayfield found life though as Aidan Arth found Senior WR Nick Biega for a 43 yard gain. But, Arth would try to run into the end zone on the next play and fumbled in the end zone. Nordonia recovered the fumble and get a touchback.
Back up QB, for Nordonia Ben Chesser would enter the game and THATS when disaster struck. Chesser threw a pick 6 to CB Luis Vasquez. This cut the Nordonia lead to 41-20. On the ensuing kickoff, Mayfield recovered the On-side kick and was at mid field with momentum and time still remaining.
But, the Knights defense stood strong as the Wildcats would turn it over in downs. Nordonia’s starters checked back in the game on offense and their Senior RB Zach Zender would end up fumbling the ball! The Wildcats recovered and gained momentum back.
Mayfield would run a screen play and get a 34 yard gain on it by Junior RB Dylan Colello. Senior RB Anthony Santoro would end up running it in and cutting the lead to 41-27. The Wildcats were feeling it, they believed they could complete the comeback.
The knights couldn’t get anything going on offense. Mayfield took over and was looking to cut the lead down even more. But, QB Aidan Arth would end up throwing a pick 6 to CB Tucker Rusk. This sealed the game as Nordonia went up 48-27 with little time remaining. That would end up being the final score of the ball game.
The player of the Game was Senior Nordonia QB Joey Palinkas going 17/22 with 216 yards passing 3 TD and an interception. He also rushed 8 times for 67 yards and 2 Touchdowns.
Nordonia’s next game will be at home against North Royalton.
Mayfield’s next game will be at home against GCLC.
Play by play was great! Felt like I was there! Awesome Jax!