by 1st quarter
The game started off with the Solon Comets getting the ball at their own 25yard line. The Comets quickly moved the ball up the field with a combination of quick passes from quarterback Charlie Bubonics and hard runs by running back EJ Taylor. Solon was able to strike first into the end zone on a 10yard pass from Bubonics to wideout Joel Kpassou.
Solon 7 Stow-Munroe Falls 0. Not to be outdone, Stow wanted to show that they also could march down the field, which is what they exactly did; the Bulldogs moved the ball from their own 10yard line to the Comet’s 23yard line and score on a pass from quarterback Owen Bainbridge to wideout Jackson Norman and then take the lead by converting the 2-point play. Stow-Munroe Falls 8, Solon 7.
After some impressive plays by Stow, Solon felt the need to answer the Bulldogs quickly; so, it only took the Comets 4 plays from their 35yard line to take back the lead on a on a 25yard pass from quarterback Bubonics to wideout Brian McQuaide. Solon 14, Stow-Munroe Falls 8.
With 5:15 left in the opening quarter, Stow started their second drive of the game at their 23yard line and using less than 3 minutes of time, the Bulldogs recaptured the lead on with a 7yard touchdown run by running back Xavier Preston. Stow-Munroe Falls 16, Solon 14.
2nd quarter
With this game looking like it would be a smorgasbord of scoring, Solon wanted to answer the Bulldogs touchdown with a score of their own; but unfortunately, their drive stalled out and they were forced to punt the ball.
The Bulldogs looked to improve on their lead and tried to put together another impressive drive, but they too were unable to add their score and turned the ball over on downs. The Comets decided to ride the back of their running back EJ Taylor to move down the field and score on a 32yard pass play from Bubonics to Kpassou.
Solon 21, Stow-Munroe Falls 16. Not wanting to give any more momentum over to the Comets, the Bulldogs were desperate to put a successful drive together.
After coming up short on their drive and punting the ball away, Stow was fortunate that their defense was able to capture a turnover from Solon by way of an interception and at the 2:32 mark, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown on a 18yard run by Preston. Stow-Munroe Falls 24, Solon 21.
3rd quarter
The second half started in very much a contrast to the first half, both teams came out the locker rooms lethargic, and went three and out on their first drives. After back and for punting by Stow and Solon, the Bulldogs started to show some signs of life with a 66yard run by Sal Romito which put them at the Solon 17yard line. Standing in the red zone and being close to pay dirt, the Bulldogs committed their own turnover by way of interception in the end zone.
With Solon find a breath of fresh air from their defense, running back EJ Taylor took the hand off on the first play of this drive and ran 80 untouched yards straight up the field for his first touchdown of the game.
Solon 28, Stow-Munroe Falls 24. With desperation upon them and penalties berating them, Stow found themselves in a 3rd and 30 situation, which then lead to the Bulldogs committing their second interception of the quarter.
The Comets were not able to capitalize on the Stow mistake and with the ball back in their possession, the Bulldogs used their own running back, Xavier Preston, to run the ball up the field and score a 19yard rushing touchdown by Preston.
Stow-Munroe Falls 30, Solon 28. The third quarter now starting to resemble the first quarter, with 11 seconds left in the quarter, Solon was able to get the ball at Stow’s 17yard line because of muffed punt return by the Bulldogs.
4th quarter
With lady luck seeming being on the Comets’ side, they tried to convert a 42-yard field goal, but unfortunately it was no good and Stow seeing the need to make a big splash in this final quarter, use 2 plays to score a touchdown on a 69yard bomb from quarterback Bainbridge to wideout Jackson Norman to increase their lead to 9 points. Stow-Munroe Falls 37, Solon 28.
The Comets not wanting to relent to the Bulldogs, complete their own 4th quarter splash with a 50yard pass by quarterback Bubonics to wideout McQuaide, but unfortunately, they fumble the snap on the next play at the Bulldogs 5yard line and turn it over to Stow.
Even though Solon’s defense was able to force a punt back to the Comets, the turnover bug was something that they could not overcome. At their own 24yard line, Solon once again fumbled the ball back to Stow, who used this opportunity to put the game away with a 19yard touchdown run by Sal Romito. Stow-Munroe Falls 43, Solon 28.
On the next possession, Solon followed suit with committing back-to-back fumbles, which gave Stow another chance to score another touchdown. The Bulldogs not wanting to concede an opportunity to all to the scoreboard, used running back Romito once again to score a 24yard touchdown, capping off an impressive victory. Stow-Munroe Falls 50, Solon 28.
Players of the Game:
Stow-Munroe Falls- QB Owen Bainbridge: 15 of 25 passing for 252yards passing, 25yards rushing, 2 touchdown passes, 2 interceptions
Solon- QB Charlie Bubonics: 18 of 27 passing for 300yards passing, 19yards rushing, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble
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