by Maple Heights, OH- In one of the more anticipated regional semi-final matchups in the area, it did not disappoint one bit. On a rainy night, The Hudson Explorers who only attempted 8 passes in the entire game held off the Painesville Riverside Beavers by a final score of 16-14 from Maple Heights Stadium.
The special teams’ units for both teams would be tested early in the contest. The opening kickoff from Riverside was kicked out of bounds giving the Explorers great field position to begin the game. Hudson could not turn that into points as an early field goal attempt was missed. A bad snap on the first of many punts in the game led to safety as the ball flew over the punters head into the endzone giving Hudson a 2-0 lead.
All season Hudson has pounded teams with their running game led by Junior Ian Ludewig and tonight would be no different. The Explorers made it a point to establish the run early just as they have all season, but this style of play can help setup the passing game. And on their 2nd pass of the game, they found paydirt from 24 yards out. It was a play that caught the Beavers by surprise, Jagger Pallay found the team’s leading receiver Jack Jenkins in the back corner of the endzone for the score.
Hudson continued to control the game on both ends of the football. Following another punt, Hudson put together a solid drive to add more points on the board. A deep pass completed to Jenkins for 31 yards setup the rest on the ground for the Explorers. Pallay would take it in himself after more strong runs from Ludewig on a 4-yard QB sneak right up the gut.
Hudson’s stifling defense would continue to impose their will with 2 straight sacks before the half keeping the high scoring Beavers offense off the scoreboard. Riverside’s dual threat Quarterback Mikey Maloney was held to just 34 yards passing and under 20 yards rushing as Hudson’s defense shutdown one of the area’s top offenses in the first half.
It was a tale of two halves from Maple Heights as the Beavers found their stride and started to make plays down the field. Their biggest play to this point was a 31-yard completion to Jake Elly over the middle. Could Riverside finally have some offense momentum to get on the board? The answer would be yes. Jason Mackey would have a couple strong runs before Mikey Maloney would score on a 6-yard run touchdown run and add the 2 point conversion to make a one possession game.
This next drive would be one of the more important ones of the game as big impact plays happened for both teams. Ludewig finally got loose and ripped off a big 35 yard gain to get the Explorers back into enemy territory. Pallay would have a big run as well on 3rd down but the special teams unit would cost Hudson more points to extend the lead. On a missed field goal, a personal foul penalty occurred resulting in closer opportunity for Hudson to punch one in early in the 4th. Deciding to go for it instead of trying to kick another field goal in the wet conditions, Ludewig was stopped from the 2 yard line by a swam of Beavers.
Riverside just would not go away and on 4th and 17 the game was hanging in the balance with under 5 minutes to go. Maloney who continued to keep plays alive all night found one of his playmakers in Brady McKnight for a gain of 19 to keep the drive and possibly their season alive. That play served as a jolt for the Beavers who started to find running lanes which led to another score. Jake Elly caught a 21-yard pass for the touchdown with the big 2 point conversion looming. Ronan Spohn who was all over the field all night made the big hit to keep Hudson on top.
The game sealing play was made by Jack Jenkins on 3rd and long with under 2 minutes to play on a perfect throw from Pallay for a huge gain of 33 yards. Hudson would hold on for the 16-14 win to advance to regional finals for the 2nd time in the last 3 seasons. Next week, they’ll take on Archbishop Hoban who defeated them in that regional final game 31-14 in 2020.
Players of the Game:
Hudson Quarterback Jagger Pallay- 6-8 142 yards 2 total touchdowns (1 rushing, 1 passing)
Hudson Wide Receiver Jack Jenkins- 5 catches, 137 yards, and a touchdown
Hudson Running Back Ian Ludewig- 25 carries, 145 yards
