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“R-E-B-E-L-S REBELS REBELS!” Willoughby South would dance to that tune all night long as they steamrolled their cross-town rival Eastlake North Friday evening.
Harry E Winters Stadium was overflowed with rowdy fans as the stands would continue to be filled late into the first quarter. It was a truly fantastic environment.
Even though both of these programs have a storied history, this year’s matchup felt inconsequential as South had its way with North from start to finish, as the final score would be 38-7.
The main reason for the blowout was thanks to none other than junior quarterback, Colin Quinlan. He has had an amazing 2021-2022 season and this performance might have been extra special, especially with it being up against the orange and black.
North would start with the ball and had a solid drive going, getting all the way down to the Rebel 31 yard line. That would be as close as North would get to the endzone, as Mo Morgan would fumble the ball and give possession back to the home team. He appeared to have received the start over Reon’tae Lowery, but it proved to be a fatal mistake.
Quinlan would lead his squad for six as he would eventually run it in from four yards out.
The ground and pound game would continue for the gray and blue about three minutes later. Quinlan handed the ball off to Tyrone Singleton. On only his second carry, he would break free and take it 57 yards to the house down the left sideline like his life depended on it.
Doom and gloom followed Eastlake just 12 seconds later as Mo Morgan lost control of the handoff and would lose his second fumble in just one quarter of play. Any spark of energy the Rangers had was completely gone, “WE CAN’T HEAR YOU!” was shouted from the South student section. That would also be the last time Morgan would run the ball.
A few minutes into the second quarter, Quinlan overthrew his target that was able to get separation from the defender and it seemed to be a missed opportunity to pile on the points.
But fret not, two plays later Quinlan would connect with junior wide receiver Bryce Figler for a 26 yard strike on a vertical style route that would have the Rebels up 21-0 with 8:40 left in the first half.
The duo of Quinlan to Figler would be successful one more time on a 4 & 10 on North’s 35. Quinlan scrambled in the backfield and just a got his throw off in time as a Ranger defender was getting ready to drop him for a sack. Figler streaked to endzone and caught a 35 yard beauty for another six points.
To cap it off, Quinlan would find Jayden Owens for back to back catches of 10 and 57 yards. Those two completions would lead to another touchdown on the ground from Singleton once again. This one from 18 yards out.
Quinlan was spectacular again, but Singleton and Figler were also huge contributors in tonight’s victory. Singleton would rush for 121 yards and add a touchdown on only six carries. Figler would haul in 5 receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
Now, it has been no secret that over these past three weeks North has struggled mightily on defense, but even more so on the offensive side of the ball.
Four players touched the ball in this one and you cannot win games, let alone put up points this way. North has averaged only nine points in their last three games, and they being outscored 106-27 in these three straight losses.
South continues their great season as they make a resounding statement and move to 5-0. They have a date at Brush next Friday. North has some soul searching to do as they drop to 2-3 as they face 0-4 Madison at home.
Player of the game: Colin Quinlan 12/14 182 yards passing with 2 TD and 54 yards rushing with a TD
