by Parma, Ohio – The Normandy Invaders hosted the Ravenna Ravens at Byers Field for a non-conference showdown. The Invaders went on to secure a tight 18-14 week two victory over the Ravens on their home turf.
Ravenna started off the game with the ball on their own 44-yard line after a squib kickoff by the Invaders special teams. The Ravens ran a jet sweep to start the game. The ball carrier lost possession of the football, resulting in the Invaders starting their opening drive on Ravenna’s 38-yard line. Normandy ran the ball on the first play of their drive resulting in a short gain. On their next play, the ball was intercepted on an intended deep pass, resulting in Ravenna setting up their offense on their own 41-yard line. Both teams for their next two respective drives alternated punts after strong defensive stands by both defenses. Ravenna then got the ball on their own 11-yard line taking their next possession into the second quarter tied 0-0.
Ravenna’s offense continued to march down the field into Invader territory. The run game was in their favor, setting them up in the red zone for a chance to score. Normandy’s defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs to set the Invaders up on their own 11-yard line. Normandy’s first play on the drive was a backwards pass that resulted in the Ravens defense pouncing on the loose ball to return back to the red zone on the Invader 15-yard line. The Raven offense started to march down the field, but a costly deflected pass off a receiver’s helmet led to an Invader interception, placing the offense on their own 23-yard line. Normandy had the run game going, as well as short routes that resulted in many yards. The Invaders were in Raven territory only for a short matter of time. The ball on the next pass was intercepted by the Ravenna defense, setting the Raven offense up on their own 34-yard line. The ball was run a few more times before both teams heading into their locker rooms tied 0-0 going into halftime.
The Invader offense came out strong after starting on their own 28-yard line. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Jakob Muniak launched a deep pass to wide receiver Nick Williams for a 79-yard touchdown reception to get Normandy on the board. The Invaders went for the 2-point conversion and were held short, making the score 6-0 Normandy with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter. Ravenna started their next drive on their own 42-yard line. The Invader defense held strong, causing the Ravens to punt the ball. As the kick went off, the ball was muffed by the returner (Nick Williams) who then recovered the ball and took it to the house for a 66-yard punt return touchdown. Normandy then again went for the 2-point conversion, once again failing to convert, giving the Invaders a 12-0 lead with 9:14 remaining in the third quarter. The Ravens set their next drive up on their own 38-yard line. It was another short-lived drive after the Invaders swarmed the running back and quarterback forcing a three-and-out. Normandy began their next drive on their own 20-yard line after a great punt. Two plays later, the Ravens’ defense got the better of the Invaders offense after Asygh Gaines intercepted the ball and took it to the endzone for a 47-yard pick-6 touchdown, along with the extra point counting, giving Normandy a 12-7 lead with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter. Normandy started their next drive on their own 34-yard line. It was a short-lived drive after the Ravens’ frontline got pressure on the quarterback. The Invaders punted the ball, setting the Ravens up on their own 18-yard line to end the third quarter with the ball down 12-7.
Ravenna had the ball from their previous drive, this time having more success with the run game and short check passes to their slot receivers. The Ravens moved the ball all the way down the field and scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback CJ Ross, with the extra point good, finally giving Ravenna their first lead of the game at 14-12 with 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Normandy began their next drive on their own 49-yard line after a great return from Nick Williams set them up near mid-field. The Invader offense pushed down the field on many speedy carries and good receptions. Ultimately, Normandy scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown by fullback Jai Hebebrand. The Invaders yet again went for the 2-point conversion, resulting in the quarterback getting sacked. Normandy took an 18-14 lead with 6:44 remaining in the game. Ravenna started their next drive on their own 30-yard line. The Raven offense moved the ball really well, but ultimately got held short on 4th down, resulting in Normandy getting the ball back with a few minutes remaining on the clock. The Invader offense wasted out the remainder of the clock after Ravenna used their final timeouts. Both teams put up an amazing outing and should be proud of the way the game unfolded.
Next Week
The Ravenna Ravens (0-2) look to rebound from a hard-fought loss as they travel to Bo Rein Memorial Stadium to take on the McKinley Red Dragons; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 5th.
The Normandy Invaders (1-1) are looking to stay hot as they host conference rivals Bay Rockets at Byers Field; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, September 12th.
Player of the Game:
Nick Williams (WR)- Normandy: 79-yard receiving touchdown, 66-yard punt return touchdown
Top Performers
Ravenna Ravens
Asygh Gaines: 47-yard pick-6 touchdown
CJ Ross: 1 rush TD
Normandy Invaders
Nick Williams: 79-yard receiving touchdown, 66-yard punt return touchdown
Jai Hebebrand: 3 rush yards, 1 rush TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
No Score Changes (Tied 0-0)
2nd Quarter
No Score Changes (Tied 0-0)
3rd Quarter
Normandy 11:40 – Jakob Muniak to Nick Williams, 79-yard (2-pt no good) (6-0 Normandy)
Normandy 9:14 – Nick Williams, 66-yard punt return touchdown (2-pt no good) (12-0 Normandy)
Ravenna 5:54 – Asygh Gaines, 47-yard pick-6 return touchdown (kick good) (12-7 Normandy)
4th Quarter
Ravenna 10:30 – CJ Ross, 2-yard run (kick good) (14-12 Ravenna)
Normandy 6:44 – Jai Hebebrand, 3-yard run (2-pt no good) (18-14 Normandy)
Re-watch the KEE On Sports Game of the Week here: Normandy Vs. Ravenna
