by Byers Field – The Division I, Region I semifinal between St. Edward and Canton McKinley was greatly affected by strong winds. Byers Field acted as a wind tunnel, forcing the ground game to become the primary focus.
This would be a totally different script compared to last week for both teams.
The number one seed Eagles hit on big play after big play against the Berea-Midpark Titans the prior week in a 56-14 thumping. As for the Bulldogs, they also had tons of big plays in a 62-28 rout against Massillon Jackson.
The Bulldogs received the ball first and looked to strike first. After two runs and not much movement, Canton McKinley went to the air which proved to be a costly mistake. Senior quarterback Amarion Williams was rolling to his right, threw a floater off his back foot, the ball was tipped and the Eagles snagged an early interception.
With excellent starting field position at the Bulldogs’ 43-yard line, the Eagles went to work on the ground. After five consecutive runs, senior running back Danny Enovitch took the six run of the drive to the endzone. The 21-yard TD opened up the flood of touchdown runs on the night (7-0 Eagles).
The struggles for the offense of the Bulldogs and Amarion Williams continued on the ensuing drive. Williams launched a ball into the wind which hung up in the air and Kyan Mason read it like a center fielder. The second consecutive interception put the St. Eds offense at their own 44-yard line.
It looked like Enovitch only needed one play and ran 56-yards, but a hold brought the play back. The Eagles would still score on the drive as quarterback Christian Ramos broke a tackle and strutted into the endzone. The 15-yard TD put the Eagles up 14-0.
After a few scoreless drives from both teams, Williams threw another interception completing the hattrick of struggles for the Bulldogs. Joel Castleberry was the recipient of the errant throw.
Despite a slow second quarter, the Eagles ran the ball 92 yards in 53 seconds behind several massive Enovitch carries. With only 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Ramos punched it in for six from one yard out. The Eagles held a commanding 21-0 lead going into the locker room.
On the first play of the second half, Enovitch found a hole up the middle and made a house call for the second time on the night. The 53-yard TD extended the lead to 28.
Enovitch was certainly not done and sophomore quarterback Casey Bullock was just getting started, having replaced Ramos for the second half. Enovitch leaked out of the backfield on a wheel route and Bullock dropped it in for a well-executed 43-yard TD (35-0 Eagles).
In the fourth quarter, Josh Gribble was also able to take advantage of the porous Bulldogs run defense. The junior running back put six on the board to cap off a long, sustained drive. The six-yard TD run wrapped up the game at 42-0.
Not only does the dominant shutout improve the St. Edward Eagles record to 12-1 plus advance them to the region final, but coach Tom Lombardo has now tied John Gibbons as the winningest coach in St. Edward football history at 73 wins.
The Eagles with face the Medina Battling Bees at a location to be determined next Friday.
Canton McKinley wraps up their season at 8-5.
St. Edward Notable Stats
Passing:
#15 Casey Bullock – 5-7 for 70 yards and 1 TD
#4 Christian Ramos – 3-6 for 29 yards
Rushing:
#25 Danny Enovitch – 20 carries for 238 yards and 2 TDs
#4 Ramos – 12 carries for 34 yards and 2 TDs
#27 Josh Gribble – 10 carries for 85 yards and 1 TD
#15 Bullock – 5 carries for 18 yards
Receiving:
#25 Enovitch – 2 receptions for 47 yards and 1 TD
#5 Rayshawn Manning Jr. – 3 receptions for 35 yards
Canton McKinley Notable Stats
Passing:
#4 Amarion Williams – 1-6 for -3 yards and 3 INTs
#15 Keaton Rode – 4-7 for 25 yards
Rushing:
#15 Rode – 6 carries for 36 yards
#21 Treyton Mackey – 5 carries for 22 yards
Player of the Game: Danny Enovitch – 20 carries, 2 receptions, 285 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs
