by Streetsboro, Ohio – Behind a high octane offensive effort, featuring four touchdowns from sophomore Preston Hopperton, the Rockets prevailed, 56-42, Friday night.
The first quarter set the tone for how potent the offensive attack on both sides would be.
Streetsboro senior quarterback Maysun Klimak scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. This score put the Rockets ahead, 7-0.
West Geauga sophomore running back David Fofana ran it into the endzone for the first of his two scores to tie it up a short time later.
Sophomore Preston Hopperton had a big game on Friday night.
His night started with a seven-yard rushing score to put Streetsboro back on top. The Rockets would recover an onside kick, but failed to take advantage of the field position.
West Geauga senior quarterback Danny Stewart found wide receiver Chris Ranallo for a 29-yard score to end the first quarter and tie the game at 14 apiece.
The second quarter belonged to the Rocket offense.
First, senior running back Hunter Hopperton ran it in from two yards out to give the Rockets the lead, 20-14.
After a stop on defense, Maysun Klimak took it in on a quarterback draw from 12 yards out. This would increase their lead to 27-14, to the delight of the home crowd.
But the Rockets had a couple more plays up their sleeve.
Maysun Klimak is well known around Portage County for his ability to make plays on the offensive side of the ball. He had a key defensive play at the end of the first half as well.
Klimak’s interception late in the second quarter set Streetsboro up with a chance to add to their lead before the half.
And they did.
Klimak found Preston Hopperton for a 35-yard touchdown strike to close out the half and increase the Rocket lead to 34-14.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair between the two offenses.
First, David Fofana ran in for his second score of the game, cutting the deficit to 34-21. This was after West Geauga recovered a fumble to take possession at the Streetsboro two-yard line.
However, Maysun Klimak found Preston Hopperton through the air for a touchdown pass to pad the lead back to 41-21.
After a defensive stop, Klimak, who left the game briefly due to injury, returned two plays later and fired a 20-yard toss to sophomore wide receiver Colby Benjamin. This score put the Rockets up 48-21.
But West Geauga struck back with a couple of scores of their own to close out the third quarter.
First, quarterback Danny Stewart found Chris Ranallo for a 21-yard touchdown reception. On the ensuing kickoff, the defense recovered a fumble and West Geauga’s offense was back on the field.
Senior running back Ty Boze ran it in from 21 yards out to cut the Wolverine deficit to 48-34. This was after a touchdown pass was called back for holding on the first play of the series.
Streetsboro responded, utilizing the services of Preston Hopperton, who would run it in from three yards out, then convert the ensuing two-point try.
West Geauga went into the no-huddle offense, and capped off their drive with a two-yard touchdown run from Ty Boze.
The Rockets burned off just over five minutes of the game clock, but could not add to their lead. West Geauga had one last effort, but a sack thwarted their drive.
Streetsboro would hang on to win and the student section would rush the field to celebrate with the team.
The Rockets improve to 8-2 and travel to #1 Chardon next Friday night in Division III, Region 9 action.
West Geauga’s season ends at 8-3. Quarterback Danny Stewart went 17 of 27 passing for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Tony Stazzone had seven catches for 104 yards, and Chris Ranallo had four catches for 100 yards and two scores.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
QB Maysun Klimak (Sr.) and RB/WR Preston Hopperton (So.)
Klimak, a four-year starter, ran for a touchdown, threw for three, and picked off a pass. He also showed off his dual-threat ability Friday night, going 8 of 13 passing for 152 yards and a pair of scores. He also had 21 carries for 144 yards and two ground scores. Preston Hopperton, following in the footsteps of older brother Hunter, accounted for four of his own, to aid the winning effort. He had 14 carries for 152 yards and three scores on the ground, and three catches for 52 yards receiving.
