by On a stormy night at Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium, it was the Brunswick Blue Devils facing off against the Strongsville Mustangs in the Battle of Boston Road. The Blue Devils received the opening kickoff and went to work but the drive did not last long.
On just the second play of the drive, the Mustangs would force a fumble and Joe Stevens pounced on it at the 18-yard line. Two plays later, Harsh Patel scrambled to his right and found Michael Marrero for the score. The PAT would be blocked, and Strongsville had an early 6-0 lead.
It wouldn’t take long for the Blue Devils to answer back. Ethan Roksandich dropped back and found a diving Hayden Swarm in the endzone from 39 yards out. The PAT was good and with 7:42 left in the first, it was Brunswick with a 7-6 lead.
Strongsville got the ball back and looked to try and retake the lead. They wouldn’t be able to get a first down as after just three plays they had to punt. The Mustang defense would return the favor and force a Blue Devil punt.
On the ensuing drive, Strongsville was able to gain the lead back. Patel again made a play with his legs keeping the play alive and found Jeremy Knauf from 10 yards out. This time the PAT would be good, and Strongsville was back in front with a score of 13-7.
Brunswick got the ball and they looked to answer just like they did the first time Strongsville scored. The Blue Devils were able to drive it all the way down into the red zone, but the turnover bug struck again. Elias Petite would jump the Roksandich pass in the endzone and end the Blue Devils’ scoring threat.
The Brunswick defense would be able to hold strong and force a punt. The miscues for the offense continued as the Blue Devil offense would turn the ball over once again. The snap would hit a player in motion and Chris Ly had it for the Mustangs. Their third turnover of the game gave Strongsville the ball in plus territory for the third time already.
Strongsville was faced with a fourth and seven and decided to roll the dice and go for it. Patel found Knauf on a screen pass and he powered his way for a first down and the Mustangs were threatening again with just under two minutes to go in the half. The Blue Devil defense would step up and this time on fourth down the Mustangs would opt for the field goal. Once again, the Blue Devils got pressure and blocked the kick. The teams headed to the locker rooms with Strongsville leading 13-7.
Strongsville received the ball to start the second half and looked to extend the lead. They put together one first down but were ultimately forced to punt it away. It was no harm as again the Brunswick offense couldn’t get a first down and they had to punt it right back.
The Mustangs were able to take it down inside the 20 after a huge 30-yard run from Xavier Belvin. They were unable to punch it in, but they were able to get points. Vincent Roncone was able to hit a field goal from 27 yards out. With 3:26 left in the third, the Mustangs had a 16-7 lead.
The Blue Devils were able to answer back and cut into this lead. After a 12-play drive led them to the ten-yard line they were faced with a fourth down. They opted for the field goal to make it a one-score game. It was the right decision as Vincent DiTeodoro drilled the 21-yard field goal. With 9:45 left in the game, it was 16-10 Strongsville.
Brunswick was starting to gain some momentum as the next Strongsville drive went backwards and they had to punt it away. Brunswick now had the ball with a chance to take the lead with a touchdown. They were faced with a fourth and one on their own 21 with just over six minutes left. They went with a direct snap to Cooper Neel, but he was stopped just inches short.
Strongsville had the ball and the chance to close this game out with a few first downs, but the opposite would happen. Brunswick was finally able to force a turnover and it was a big one. Cohen Easa was able to jump the Patel pass and take it all the way back for six. Vincent DiTeodoro was able to hit the huge extra point and for the first time since the first quarter Brunswick had the lead.
Strongsville now needed to put together a drive to possibly win the game. The Brunswick defense was able to continue their dominant second half and force them to go backward again. After three plays Strongsville had to punt again.
With just four minutes left, Brunswick was looking for a few first downs to seal this Battle of Boston Road. After two short runs and two timeouts, it was third and ten with 3:45 to go. Cooper Neel took the jet sweep and fought his way for ten yards and a first down. Strongsville was able to get a stop and force a punt but had just 16 seconds to go 66 yards for the win. Landon Case would intercept a desperation throw from Patel and seal the Blue Devil Victory and keep the Battle of Boston Road trophy in Brunswick.
Players of the Game
Strongsville- Jeremy Knauf, 7 Catches for 58 yards 1 TD
Brunswick- Cohen Easa, Game Winning INT
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
10:27: #15 Harsh Patel 15-yard pass to #84 Michael Marrero. PAT Blocked
7:42: #13 Ethan Roksandich 39-yard pass to #19 Hayden Swarm. #37 Vincent DiTeodoro PAT Good
1:47: #15 Harsh Patel 10-yard pass to #9 Jeremy Knauf. #53 Vincent Roncone PAT Good
2nd Quarter
None
3rd Quarter
3:26: #53 Vincent Roncone 27-yard Field Goal Good
9:45: #37 Vincent DiTeodoro 21-yard Field Goal Good
4th Quarter
5:15: 21-yard INT Return by #21 Cohen Easa. #37 Vincent DiTeodoro PAT Good
Cohen Easa. Let’s Go!!!🏈🥇