Normandy Invaders win 4th Quarter comeback against the Westlake Demons

Both Normandy and Westlake came into this one wanting to win their third game, and man did they both fight for it. The Demons looked to have this one in the bag with great performances from quarterback Sam Brucchieri and receiver Dom Napoli. However the Invaders toughness on both sides of the ball in the second half, paired with a stellar performance on the ground from quarterback Elijah Gray, proved too much for the Demons. Normandy led a game winning drive late in the fourth quarter and took home the win 24-20.

Normandy elected to receive the opening kickoff but were quickly denied by the demons after a failed 4th and 8. The Demons got the ball at their own 30 yard line and went right down the field in 5 plays. The drive was capped off by a 38 yard passing touchdown from quarterback Sam Brucchieri to a wide open receiver, senior Dom Napoli. After a missed PAT Westlake went up 6-0 early.

Westlake’s next drive started at their own 4 yard line and they looked to be on a roll again. That was until a 3rd and long where Brucchieri threw an interception to Invaders junior safety Dom Wrege, who made a fantastic play on the ball. This set up a 34 yard field goal from senior kicker Neno Ilic, making the score 6-3 with 9 minutes left in the first half.

The Invaders defense quickly showed up again, forcing a 3 and out and getting their offense the ball at midfield. On the first play of the drive quarterback Elijah Gray took a QB keeper past the first 2 levels of the defense and had only one man to beat. He hit the outside, stiff armed the would be tackler and took it 50 yards to the house, making the 10-3 Invaders halfway through the 2nd quarter.

The Demons found themselves in a crucial 4th and 1 at their own 30 yard line the next drive. They tried to run the ball up the middle but it was no match for the Invader defensive line, giving the ball back to Normandy at great field position. However after 5 penalties on the drive they were forced to punt the ball back with 2 minutes left in the half.

After a great punt the Demons started their drive at the 2 yard line. However they were quickly helped out by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by the Invaders. The next play Sam Brucchieri took another deep shot to Dom Napoli. This time Napoli was in sticky coverage, but the throw was perfect and dropped right into his hands while in stride. He ran past every defender and the Demons notched a 76 yard score, making the game 13-10, where it would end at the half.

While very penalty riddled, the first half was full of back and forth action and big plays from both sides.

Westlake came out of the half hot with a 8 play 75 yard drive. The drive was highlighted by senior tight end Chris Campbell who had 3 catches for 50 yards on the drive. He capped off the drive with a 21 yard touchdown grab, making the score 20-10 early in the third.

The rest of the third quarter was full of missed field goals and punts. The next meaningful drive didn’t come until there was 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The invaders got to ball at their own 30 yard line and wanted to make it a once score game.

They stuck to their gameplay of moving the ball with Elijah Gray’s legs. He ran for over 40 yards on the 3 minute drive and ended it with a 6 yard score. After the PAT the Invaders were within 3 points with a 20-17 score and 4 minutes to play.

The Invaders defense came up huge on the next drive, forcing the Demons to go 3 and out. After a solid punt return they were set up at mid field, down 3 with 3 minutes to go. The Invaders faced multiple 3rd downs on the drive, but Elijah Gray’s toughness persevered. He took a QB keeper up the gut and pushed a pile of players all the way to the 3 yard line. 2 plays later he provided the go ahead score with a 2 yard run. This made the game 24-20 with under a minute to play.

The Demons, needing a touchdown, started at the 20 yard line. After quickly picking up a first down, quarterback Sam Brucchieri overthrew his receiver and instead threw it right into the hands of junior cornerback Mario Stewart, sealing the comeback for the Invaders with a 24-20 win.

Normandy ends their season next week looking for a win against Valley Forge. Westlake heads home and looks for a win against North Olmstead.

Players of the game:

Normandy Quarterback Elijah Gray – 22 rushes for 169 yards, 3 touchdowns and the game winning score

Westlake Receiver Dom Napoli – 5 catches for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns