by West Branch High School hosted the regional quarterfinal matchup between #4 seed West Branch Warriors and #5 seed Streetsboro Rockets. An exciting first half started with the Streetsboro defense. Brent Ranaldson of the Rockets intercepted Warrior quarterback Beau Alzaus on West Branch’s first possession of the game. The Rockets couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, sending the ball back to West Branch on downs. West Branch’s offense also stalled and had to punt. After a Rockets drive dominated by the run, Preston Hopperton took the option pitch handoff from Cohen Klimak for a 6-yard touchdown run, putting Streetsboro on the board first.
The Warriors’ offense found light to open the second quarter as Beau Alzaus found Jeremiah Thomas over the middle for a 25-yard score, tying the game up at 7 apiece. On the ensuing kickoff, West Branch executed an onside kick, which Jeremiah Thomas successfully recovered. The Warriors marched down the field, capping off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by Boston Mulinix. The Warriors weren’t done yet as Jeremiah Thomas lined up in the wildcat formation and took it himself for a 7-yard score. Just as it looked like West Branch was pulling away, the Rockets drove down the field, scoring a 27-yard touchdown in a connection between quarterback Cohen Klimak and receiver Jackson Gula. The play brought the 2nd quarter to a close and made the score 21-14 in favor of West Branch at the half.
The second half started with a promising drive by West Branch and ended with a 26-yard field goal by kicker Eliza Hirst. The Rockets didn’t take long to respond, though, as Preston Hopperton rumbled his way through the defense to a 58-yard score. On the next West Branch possession, quarterback Beau Alazaus was stripped in the red zone. The ball was recovered by Victor Links of Streetsboro, ending the third quarter.
With momentum heading into the fourth quarter, Preston Hopperton took the handoff up the middle for a 56-yard scamper for six, giving the Rockets their first lead since early in the first quarter. On the following kickoff, Joey Jackson took the ball 79 yards to the house, putting West Branch back on top. Streetsboro had one more shot to win the game but ultimately came up short, turning the ball over on downs in their red zone.
With the loss, Streetsboro is eliminated from the playoffs, ending their season. With the win, West Branch moves on to round three of the OHSAA playoffs and will face Canton South next week.
Player Of The Game: West Branch RB Boston Mulinix 19 ATT 144 YDS 1 TD
