by By Nathan Smee
Olmsted Falls, OH – Olmsted Falls defeated Clay by a final score of 40-12 after an electrifying night rushing the ball.
After electing to receive, the Eagles made sure to make the most of their possession as quarterback Mason Heintschel punched the ball in via a quarterback sneak at the 1 yard-line to give Clay a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. The Bulldogs started off slow with the Eagles forcing an early punt. Clay would follow suit as they went 3 and out which gave the ball back to quarterback Jimmy Rosol. He would break lose for a 17-yard carry, setting up a 6-yard rushing score from Trent Hrabnicky. An extra point would give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead as the first quarter ended.
Clay responded on their third drive of the half as Heintschel found running back Jake Titgemeyer for a 57-yard completion. The Bulldogs battled, however, holding Clay to a 23-yard field goal from Jackson Veler to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead. Olmsted Falls drove down into Clay territory with 33 yards on the ground from running back Owen Singleton. However, it would be a flock of defensive Eagles who held up on a 4th down and 1 to takeover possession. Clay would add to their lead after Veler knocked in his second kick of the half, this time from 31 yards out. Going into the half, Olmsted Falls was able to get a field goal from Jack Birch to make it a 12-10 ball game.
To open the second half, the Bulldogs ran the ball down the field using a combination of Rosol, Singleton, Logan Connelly, and Derek Neckar. On 4th down and goal, it would be Neckar who punched it in from 2 yards out for a Bulldog touchdown. Hrabnicky would take the ball in on the 2-point conversion to give Olmsted Falls a 18-12 lead. Troy Hazuda would cough up the football after catching a pass from Heintschel and Jack Hatgas fell on it to give the ball back to the Bulldogs. Lightening would strike a second time as Neckar once again scored from 2 yards out and Hrabnicky would take in the 2-point conversion to extend the Bulldog lead 26-12. Clay would begin their second drive of the half strong with 4 passes to Hudson Byers totaling 62 yards which set up Clay at the Olmsted Falls 16 to close out the 3rd quarter.
Clay’s drive would stall out on 4th down as Heintschel couldn’t connect with his intended receiver in the endzone due to a deflection caused by Neckar resulting in a turnover-on-downs. A Three-and-out would ensue as the Bulldogs were barely able to punt the ball away amidst Eagle pressure. An interception from Peyton DeLisio would set the stage for a 45-yard house call by Rosol on 1 play to extend the Bulldog lead 33-12. Clay would continue to fight as Heintschel evaded Bulldog pressure and found open receivers to drive all the way to the Olmsted Falls 3-yard line. On a crucial 4th down, Hazuda tried to find Heintschel on the flee-flicker, but Hrabnicky batted the ball to the turf which give Olmsted Falls back possession. The Bulldog offense wasn’t done yet as Logan Connelly took the rock for a 72-yard score to make it a 40-12 Bulldog lead. Neckar sealed the victory with an interception to close out a stellar second half performance from him and his fellow Bulldogs which solidified the 40-12 win.
After a 49-0 win over Rhodes, Southview advanced to take on Olmsted falls next Friday at 7PM.
Olmsted Falls Top Performers:
- #2 Derek Neckar: 7 carries, 49 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 Int
- #5 Logan Connelly: 8 Carries, 125 yards, 1 TD
- #23 Trent Hrbanicky: 6 Carries, 48 yards, 1 TD, 2 PT Conversions
Clay Top Performers:
- #6 Mason Heintschel: 16/28 246 yards, 2 Ints, 8 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
- #34 Jake Titgemeyer: 10 Carries, 41 yards, 1 reception, 57 yards
- #87 Hudson Byers: 6 receptions, 81 yards
Player of the Game: Derek Neckar
