by CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO FIRST HALF – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ccMydFtuQ-lETBeVj0oqcLnly9yvATBF/view
Click here to listen to second half – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qJ8BXMLUpar0iaLCRyPDELk0Q0CfJPIG/view
In the first quarter, the two teams traded scores. Stow senior running back Chad Woliver ran for a touchdown to start off the scoring. Solon responded on their next drive when Pat McQuaide found Greg Parries for a ten-yard catch and run for a touchdown to knot up the score. Then the Bulldogs marched right down the field and scored when one of the offensive linemen recovered a fumble in the end zone.
Solon junior kicker Noah Janke added the first of his two field goals in the second quarter from 30 yards out to cut the deficit to 14-10. But the Bulldogs put some distance between them and the Comets late in the first half, first on a Mycal Azar rushing touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion to increase their lead, and then Owen Bainbridge found Dalen Stovall for a 74-yard touchdown reception after a stop on defense to increase the lead to 29-10. Solon drove down the field, but could only muster a field goal, Janke’s second of the game, to cut the deficit to 29-13 going into halftime.
But the Comets came out soaring in the second half. Pat McQuaide led a drive down the field that ended in a touchdown toss to Kevin Perry in the end zone in the third quarter. The ensuing two-point conversion failed.
The Bulldogs began to pull away after that.
Sophomore quarterback Evan Bainbridge, who went 21 of 27 passing for 337 yards, also ran for a touchdown to add to the Stow lead, 36-19. But then lightning was spotted and the game was delayed.
After the delay, Stow picked up where it left off.
After an interception gave the Bulldogs good field position, Stow senior fullback Seth Shinsky rushed for a touchdown late in the third quarter to add to the Bulldog lead, and would add another touchdown of the game with 3:52 remaining in the game. By then, the lightning returned, and was here to stay, and the game was declared official.
Senior wide receiver Dalen Stovall had five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, and senior wide receiver Jacob Rosario had seven catches for 121 yards to aid the winning effort.
For the Stow Bulldogs and head coach Tom Phillips, Friday night marks seven straight regular season victories dating back to last season.
“Our kids are playing well. What we’re trying to do is keep it simple with our schemes. I think Owen (Bainbridge) is doing a great job at quarterback. He’s understanding the game every week. With him recognizing the blitzes off the edge and the coverage, he’s done a great job. Our goal for our linemen is to protect him. I have three sophomores on that line, and they did a great job.” said Phillips.
Stow improves to 3-0 and travels to Brecksville to take on the Bees next Friday night to open up Suburban League National division play.
In a losing effort, Solon junior quarterback Pat McQuaide went 24 of 35 passing for 229 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“We thought they were a good team coming in, and they were a better team coming out.” said Solon head coach Jim McQuaide. “Some games you gotta congratulate the other team and say they took it to us. We told our guys in the summer that this is a marathon, not a sprint.” he added.
Solon drops to 2-1 and travels to Brunswick to take on the Blue Devils next Friday night to open up Greater Cleveland Conference play.
