by Lakewood, OH — Three different St. Edward running backs scored multiple touchdowns on the ground, a well-coached defense gave up only 2 first downs, and the #1 ranked high school football team in the state of Ohio began the “second” season on a high note with an enticing 49-6 route of Stow on Friday night.
FIRST HALF
The Eagles soared early and often in the first two quarters as they quickly jumped out to a 35-point advantage as the inaugural half concluded.
Stow began the contest with the ball but did not have much success moving it against the superior Eagle’s defensive unit. The Bulldog’s offense possessed the ball six times in the first half and all six of those drives ended in a punt. The St. Edward defense clogged gaps, covered passing lanes, and simply did not allow the Stow offense to find their footing whatsoever.
St. Ed’s untimely found their rhythm early after senior quarterback Casey Bullock hit junior standout receiver Kyan Mason for a 38-yard pitch and catch which set up a first and goal from the 5-yard line. Just one play later, senior running back Marvin Bell scampered across the goal-line for a 5-yard touchdown that put the Eagles up 7-0 early.
Bell would again find the endzone on the Eagle’s next possession, as he took an end-around run 12-yards into the endzone. Kyan Mason originally took the initial punt return that started that St Edward drive 64-yards to the house. That tremendous return was called back however due to an illegal block in the back by the Eagles.
Junior running back Joshua Groudle saw his first touches of the night for the St. Edward offense on the team’s following drive. After a drive that consisted of Casey Bullock continuously dealing the ball through the air to his receivers on the money, Groudle was called upon on the 3-yard line and in two carries, he punched it in, giving the Eagles an even bigger advantage early in the second quarter.
Following that score, the Eagle’s offense continued to roll as they punched it in twice more before the half subsided. Marvin Bell took a 34-yard carry to the endzone as it seemed like he was shot out of cannon the way he outran the entire Bulldog defense. That touchdown along with a Benjamin Lavelle PAT put the Eagles 28-0 with 8:40 left to play in the second quarter.
Josh Groudle was the final St. Edward Eagle to find the endzone in the first half as he finished off a well-sustained and balance drive with a 14-yard touchdown on the ground.
At intermission, the Eagles were well in control and soaring over the Bulldogs with a 35-0 advantage.
SECOND HALF
By rule of the OHSAA, the second half saw a running clock due to the 30+ point St. Ed’s advantage. Ultimately, the half went by fairly quickly because of that. However, coach Lombardo pulled his starters and gave some of the younger players some valuable post-season reps in their places.
Junior running back Jacob Robinson was a prime example of this. Not only did Robinson get some value playing time, but he also absolutely took advantage of every carry he had.
Robinson carried the ball 10 times for a total of 41 yards and 2 touchdowns in just the second half.
His first score came midway through the third quarter as he took it in up the middle from 7-yards out courtesy of some stellar run blocking from the St Ed’s offensive front. That run also helped expand the St Ed’s advantage to 42-0.
Robinson found the endzone once more in the final minutes of the third quarter as he powered his way through the Stow defense and reached over the ball over the goal line for a 5-yard touchdown. That touchdown increased the Eagle’s already massive lead yet again to 49-0 after a Benjamin Lavelle point after.
Although a tough night on both sides of the ball for Stow, they would eventually find the endzone late in the fourth quarter. Freshman quarterback Jacob Harrington displayed some very promising arm talent as he hit junior receiver Joey Lehner in stride for a 46-yard touchdown. Lehner simply out-ran the entire St. Edward secondary on a simple yet effective go route.
That score was the last of the night for both squads and evidently, the final was 49-6 in favor of the St. Edward Eagles.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
St. Edward: Marvin Bell (running back) –
In just the first half, Bell ran the ball 3 times compiling 53 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. He averaged almost 18 yards and 1 touchdown per carry. Truly impressive.
EAGLES ADVANCE
With the win tonight, the Eagles of St. Edward will be back at home next Friday night for round two of the OHSAA playoffs against the Jackson Polar Bears out of Massillon, Ohio.
