Shoremen Crush Comets Homecoming Hopes

AMHERST, OH- It was the same old story for Avon Lake facing off against the Amherst Comets tonight. Between the electric Running back Wade Nelson and Quarterback Jeremy Dzik, the Shoremen were just too much. The Shoremen spoiled Amherst’s homecoming, defeating the Comets 55-14 and extending the win streak to 23 games in the series.

To start the game, the Comets drove all over ALHS behind the running of Cole Norris and Bishop Fryson. Eventually, the Shoremen defense picked up the run and forced a field goal attempt. Sophomore kicker Nathan Stewart missed from 42 yards out and it was Avon Lake’s turn to go to work.

Less than a minute after the missed field goal, Wade Nelson kept the momentum of his monster Senior season going with a 57-yard touchdown run. With 4:46 remaining in the first quarter the score was 7-0 Avon Lake.

After a quick stop from the ALHS defense, Nelson went right back to work. The first play of the drive Nelson was ducking and weaving defenders resulting in a 44-yard carry. Two plays later Dzik got his name on the score sheet, hitting his main man Matthew Stuewe for a 10-yard touchdown reception.

Although a rare extra point miss from Kicker Ian Walsh happened, the Shoremen were nowhere close to being done in the first half.

On the kickoff, Cameron Gendics broke free a 40-yard return, and it seemed as if the Comets were picking up some momentum. As the Comets were driving, the Shoremen defense came up huge. ALHS got a massive fumble recovery on a crucial 4th and 1 attempt by Amherst.

Following the fumble recovery, Dzik and company drove down field quick. With 6:44 remaining in the first half, Dzik dropped a dime to the back of the endzone, hitting Isaac Richardson for a 25-yard touchdown. Unfortunately for Comet fans, Avon Lake kept rolling in the remaining 5 minutes.

On a big third down for AHS, Avery Viancourt’s big night on defense started. Viancourt delivered a huge sack, getting the ball back for the Shoremen offense.

Following the big loss, Dzik hit Tight End Derek McCrum for a 47-yard touchdown. Now, with 3:21 left the score was 27-0 Shoremen.

Even with the big deficit, Amherst refused to quit. They began their next drive with a nice run from Sophomore QB Cole Norris. Unfortunately, that was about as positive as it got.

Senior Cornerback Keegan Ruddock read Amherst’s play call, picking off Norris at the Comet 42 yard line. With 2:28 left in the first half, ALHS was back to work.

The ensuing play, Dzik delivered a beautiful ball to Matthew Stuewe for a gain of 39. Two plays later, it was Dzik getting in the endzone on his first keeper of the night.

Even though it seemed like Amherst was down and out, Avery Viancourt didn’t hear no bell. The Shoremen defense picked up 3 quick stops to set up his big play. With 53 seconds left he went untouched into the backfield blocking Cameron Gendics punt attempt. The result? A 26-yard scoop and score to make the game 41-0 at half.

Life as a Comet fan didn’t get much easier to start half number two. On the kickoff to start the half, Sophomore Anthony Benedict cribbed a 98-yard return to make the score 48-0.

Following the kick return, Amherst showed a lot of heart. Led by Senior Bishop Fryson, they drove all the way down the field and into the endzone. Fryson’s 1 yard TD run made the game 48-7.

When the Shoremen got the ball back, the onslaught continued. Junior Wideout Jake Bova had a couple of nice runs, which eventually set up a touchdown run by Sophomore QB Alex Affolter.

As the clock continued to tick, J.R. Bires scored a 36 yard TD run for Amherst. Eventually, the clock ran out and final was 55-14 Avon Lake.

The star players of the game tonight were Jeremy Dzik, Wade Nelson, and Avery Viancourt. Each proved to be a game changer all night, as they were unstoppable.

Dzik went for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns while going 7/11 on completions.

Nelson on the other hand had a ridiculous 129 rushing yards and 1 TD on 6 carries (21.5 AVG).
Last but not least, Viancourt had multiple tackles for losses, and the big punt returned for a touchdown.