by The North Olmsted Eagles cruised to a big 49-7 win over GLC Rival Bay Village tonight. The win was a total team effort with big plays on defense by Gavin Beasley, Brady Haug, Collin Willard and many other all night long. On offense, it was the big three of Xavier Balson, Jared Kelley and Collin Willard doing their thing!
Balson threw for 3 touchdown passes and ran for 2 more. Jared Kelley had over 150 total yards with a score as he was hard to stop once again. Collin Willard had two touchdown catches and a huge pick six before the first half could end.
North Olmsted started the game from the Bay Village 46-yard line after a Rocket three and out and short punt. The Eagles wasted no time, going 46 yards in 5 plays with the payoff being a 16-yard touchdown pass from Balson to Collin Willard. The drive was assisted by 22 yards rushing from Jared Kelley.
The Eagles started their next drive at midfield yet again set up by a great pass breakup on defense by Brady Haug. Yet again, it was the same attack, a few nice Kelley runs, setting up a Willard touchdown catch. This time, Willard caught a screen pass and then made tacklers miss as he streaked down the sidelines for 35 yards to paydirt. It was a great play by Willard to stay in bounds. Just like that, it was 14-0 North Olmsted with 2:31 left in the opening quarter.
Down 14-0, the Rockets used a heavy dosage of Brendan Spellman to get back in the game. On the next drive he had 4 carries before pounding one in from 25 yards for the score. The kick was good, and the Rockets were back in at 14-7 with 11:13 to play in the second quarter.
The Eagles didn’t blink, they came right back at the Rockets on the very next drive. Jared Kelley cut through several holes to pile up the yards and get the Eagles in striking distance. Kelley then took a handoff and went in 12 yards for the touchdown. However, it was called back for “leaping”. On the very next play, it was Xavier Balson taking it himself from 20 yards out to score and extend the Eagle lead to 21-7.
On the next drive, Collin Willard would strike again, and this time on defense! Willard picked off a Buttari pass and took it to the house from 60 yards out. The big night from Willard made it 28-7 with a little under 2 minutes to go in the half.
The Eagles Gavin Beasley’s huge season continued as he blocked Bay Villages punt on the 22-yard line with 15 seconds and 3 timeouts to go. Xavier Balson took the first play 11 yards with his feet. The next play was a 11-yard touchdown pass to Jared Kelley to make it 35-7 at the halftime.
The Eagles recovered an onside kick to start the second half and scored quickly after. A Jared Kelley 30-yard run, set up a Xavier Balson 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-7, moments into the second half.
A little bit later on, Logan Dangerfield would put the game away for good with a 26-yard touchdown!
The Eagles will look to stay hot as they host Elyria Catholic in a GLC showdown next week. Bay Village will look to bounce back as they host Fairview.
The Player of the game is Collin Willard with two touchdown catches and a pick six.
Go Eagles and great play calling
There is no stopping Collen Willard this season! The kid is great!!
Jared Kelley is an absolute beast with the football in his hands. When it’s not that means he’s drawing tons of attention giving players like Willard and balston open space. All 3 kids compliment each other so well. Go eagles!