by Copley, Ohio – The #12 seed Padua Bruins pulled off a stunning road upset, defeating the host #5 Copley Indians, 35-13, at Copley/Fairlawn Stadium Friday evening.
Noah Slattery got things going with a long kickoff return to open things up for Copley. However, the Indians were forced to punt after a three and out. Padua had a long run by quarterback Donavin Friscone to get into Copley territory, but the Bruins were forced to punt as well.
Copley scored on a two yard touchdown run by Jalen Owens to jump in front, 7-0. Owens’ score capped an 85 yard drive. Padua responded with a touchdown drive of their own. Sophomore running back Maks Karasek rushed for a two-yard score early in the second quarter. The PAT was good, evening things up at 7.
After the two teams traded punts, Copley embarked on a drive looking to take the lead. Following a personal foul penalty, the Indians were on the Bruin 25 yard line, knocking on the door. But the Padua defense held the line, forcing a turnover on downs.
The two teams were even at 7 at the half.
Padua embarked on a nearly six-minute drive to open up the third quarter, capping it with a one yard touchdown run by sophomore Maks Karasek. The Bruins led 14-7 with 6:23 left in the third quarter.
Copley marched down the field with a scoring drive of their own. Dane Wininger found Noah Slattery and Jacob Kuczkowski for first down gains on the drive. Wininger called his own number from a yard out to cut the Copley deficit to 14-13. What would have been the game-tying extra point was blocked by the Bruin defense, keeping them in the lead.
Jose Caban returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Copley territory. A horse-collar penalty at the end of the run set the Bruins up with first down at the Copley 15. However, the Bruins came away empty handed, turning the ball over on downs.
Padua came up with a stop on the next possession, and added to their lead. Donavin Friscone found Maks Karasek for a 13 yard touchdown to increase the lead to 21-13 with 9:48 left.
The Bruin defense came up with another big play on the next possession as senior Kortland Pack recovered a fumble. Facing fourth-and-long three plays later, Friscone found senior Jack Boswell for a 27-yard touchdown reception. The Bruins’ lead swelled to 28-13 with 6:44 left.
After another stop on downs, do-it-all tailback Maks Karasek rushed for a ten-yard score to all but ice it with 3:52 remaining.
#12 Padua advances to take on #4 seed Wapakoneta in the Division III, Region 10 quarterfinals next week on Friday, November 6th.
Copley finishes their season at 6-5.
Extended highlights below:
