by Olmsted Falls, OH: The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs dominated the Amherst Steele Comets on Friday night, rolling to a 42-7 Southwestern Conference victory. Olmsted Falls improves 4-2 on the season, while Amherst Steele falls to 3-3.
The Bulldogs controlled the game from the opening kickoff, scoring twice in the first quarter and adding four more touchdowns in the second quarter before halftime. Quarterback #16 Cameron Pesch led the way through the air and on the ground, throwing three touchdown passes and adding another touchdown on a designed quarterback keeper.
Olmsted Falls’ defense was very impressive, holding Amherst to just 29 yards of total offense in the first half and forcing multiple turnovers. The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the final 31 seconds of the first half to take a commanding 42-0 lead into the locker room.
With the running clock in effect during the second half, Olmsted Falls’ starters did not play after halftime. Amherst finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs cruised to the 42-7 victory.
First Half
Amherst opened the game with good field position at its own 47-yard line, but the Comets were unable to gain a yard and went three-and-out on their opening possession.
Olmsted Falls took over at its own 16-yard line following the punt and quickly moved down the field.
At 8:07 of the first quarter, quarterback #16 Cameron Pesch found receiver #29 Adam Smith wide open in the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown pass on a post route over the middle. The extra point was good, giving the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.
Amherst went three-and-out again on its next possession, punting from its own 23-yard line. Olmsted Falls took over at the 37 and put together another scoring drive.
With 4:46 remaining in the quarter, running back #21 Owen Radigan finished the drive by punching the ball into the end zone from four yards out on first-and-goal. The extra point was good, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-0.
Amherst went three-and-out once again, and Olmsted Falls took over at its own 29-yard line with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
The Bulldogs carried their 14-0 advantage into the second quarter.
Amherst had an opportunity to get back into the game early in the second quarter, but the Comets failed to convert a fourth-and-three from the 37-yard line, turning the ball over on downs.
Olmsted Falls took advantage.
At 5:03, Pesch delivered another big play through the air, connecting with receiver #14 Keagan Smith on a perfectly placed fade down the left sideline. Smith went up and made the catch for a 16-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, putting the Bulldogs ahead 21-0.
Olmsted Falls continued to add to its lead late in the half.
With 38 seconds remaining, Pesch kept the ball on a designed quarterback keeper to the right side and powered into the end zone from three yards out. The extra point made it 28-0.
The final 31 seconds of the half proved to be decisive.
On Amherst’s next play from scrimmage, Bulldogs linebacker #11 Evan Patrick intercepted a screen pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, making it 35-0 with 21 seconds remaining.
Amherst’s troubles continued on the following possession when the Comets fumbled in the backfield. Linebacker #8 Mason Cerovac recovered the ball, giving Olmsted Falls possession at the Amherst 14-yard line with 11 seconds remaining.
The Bulldogs needed just one play.
Pesch found receiver #2 Aidan O’Malley over the middle for a 14-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds left. The extra point was good, sending Olmsted Falls into halftime with a 42-0 advantage.
Amherst entered halftime with just 29 yards of total offense and zero rushing yards.
Second Half
Olmsted Falls’ starters did not play in the second half, and the Bulldogs turned the game over to their reserves with a 42-0 lead.
With the running clock in effect, both teams had just two possessions during the second half.
Amherst finally got on the scoreboard with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter. Running back #45 Landon Johnson broke through for a nine-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, cutting the deficit to 42-7.
The score remained unchanged through the fourth quarter as Olmsted Falls closed out the 42-7 victory.
Top Performers
Olmsted Falls Bulldogs
#16 Cameron Pesch: 10-of-13 passing, 166 yards, 3 TDs; 6 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
#21 Owen Radigan: 9 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
#29 Adam Smith: 4 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
#14 Keagan Smith: 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
#10 Khye Gilbert: 6 carries, 48 yards
#2 Aidan O’Malley: 2 carries, 20 yards; 2 catches, 19 yards, 1 TD
#8 Mason Cerovac: 1 catch, 24 yards; fumble recovery
Amherst Steele Comets
#29 Dylan Popovich: 12 carries, 102 yards
#45 Landon Johnson: 8 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD
#12 Anthony Passerrello: 3-of-10 passing, 29 yards, 1 INT
#0 Jack Coleman: 2 catches, 18 yards
#13 Christian Vorhees: 1 catch, 11 yards
Big Plays
Olmsted Falls’ offense produced several explosive plays throughout the night. Pesch connected with Adam Smith for a 31-yard touchdown in the first quarter and later hit Keagan Smith for a 16-yard touchdown along the left sideline.
The biggest momentum swing came in the final 31 seconds of the first half. Olmsted Falls scored three touchdowns in that span, beginning with Pesch’s three-yard touchdown run, followed by Evan Patrick’s 34-yard pick-six and Aidan O’Malley’s 14-yard touchdown reception.
The Bulldogs’ defense also came up with several major plays, including Patrick’s interception return for a touchdown and Mason Cerovac’s fumble recovery that set up O’Malley’s touchdown just seconds before halftime.
For Amherst, Dylan Popovich provided the Comets’ biggest offensive spark, rushing for 102 yards on 12 carries.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Olmsted Falls — 8:07: Cameron Pesch to Adam Smith, 31-yard touchdown pass. XP good. Olmsted Falls 7-0
Olmsted Falls — 4:46: Owen Radigan, 4-yard touchdown run. XP good. Olmsted Falls 14-0
2nd Quarter
Olmsted Falls — 5:03: Cameron Pesch to Keagan Smith, 16-yard touchdown pass. XP good. Olmsted Falls 21-0
Olmsted Falls — 0:38: Cameron Pesch, 3-yard touchdown run. XP good. Olmsted Falls 28-0
Olmsted Falls — 0:21: Evan Patrick, 34-yard interception return for touchdown. XP good. Olmsted Falls 35-0
Olmsted Falls — 0:07: Cameron Pesch to Aidan O’Malley, 14-yard touchdown pass. XP good. Olmsted Falls 42-0
3rd Quarter
Amherst — 2:39: Landon Johnson, 9-yard touchdown run. XP good. Olmsted Falls 42-7
Final
Olmsted Falls 42, Amherst Steele 7
Players of the Game
Olmsted Falls Bulldogs — QB #16 Cameron Pesch
Full Stat Line: 10-of-13 passing, 166 yards, 3 passing TDs; 6 carries, 39 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.
Pesch was the leader of Olmsted Falls’ dominant first half, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a rushing score. He connected with Adam Smith, Keagan Smith and Aidan O’Malley for touchdowns while completing 10 of 13 passes for 166 yards.
Amherst Steele Comets — RB #29 Dylan Popovich
Full Stat Line: 12 carries, 102 rushing yards
Popovich was Amherst’s biggest offensive contributor, breaking the 100-yard mark on 12 carries. Despite the Comets’ offensive struggles and a 42-0 deficit at halftime, Popovich provided Amherst with its most consistent source of yardage in the second half.
