by Strongsville, OH: The Strongsville Mustangs (5-3, 4-1 CONF) delivered a dominant performance Friday night, defeating the Lorain Titans (2-6, 1-4 CONF), 45-6. Coming off a massive 56-30 victory over Mentor that snapped an 18-year losing streak against the Cardinals, Strongsville continued its momentum with a commanding performance on both sides of the ball.
The Mustangs controlled the game from the opening quarter, using a powerful rushing attack and a relentless defense to build a 38-0 halftime lead. Strongsville forced three interceptions in the first half alone, while running back #0 Kendrick Boddie led the ground game with 186 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Strongsville’s combination of explosive rushing, opportunistic defense, and efficient scoring proved too much for Lorain to overcome. The Mustangs left with a 45-6 victory, continuing their momentum after the win over Mentor and delivering a strong conference performance.
First Half
Strongsville set the tone early with a defensive takeaway on Lorain’s opening drive. With 7:26 remaining in the first quarter, Lorain quarterback #5 Leonard McCall threw an interception that was picked off by Mustangs defensive back #5 Andrew Cox. Strongsville took over at its own 30-yard line and began working its way into scoring position.
The Mustangs eventually turned the possession into points when kicker #53 Vincent Roncone connected on a 27-yard field goal with 4:06 remaining in the opening quarter, giving Strongsville a 3-0 lead.
Strongsville’s defense continued its dominance on the Titans, forcing another punt and giving the Mustangs possession at their own 49-yard line. Running back #0 Kendrick Boddie took advantage of the opportunity, accounting for all 51 yards of the ensuing drive before punching in a six-yard touchdown run with 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Roncone converted the extra point to extend the lead to 10-0.
The Mustangs continued to impose their will in the second quarter. With 7:33 remaining in the half, running back #30 Austin Tatulinski powered into the end zone from three yards out on third-and-goal, finishing the drive and extending the advantage to 17-0 after the extra point.
Lorain then gave Strongsville another opportunity when a bad punt traveled just five yards, allowing the Mustangs to take over at the Titans’ 20-yard line with six minutes remaining in the half.
Strongsville quickly capitalized. On first-and-goal from the seven-yard line, Tatulinski found his way into the end zone untouched for his second rushing touchdown of the quarter. The successful extra point pushed the Mustangs’ lead to 24-0.
The Titans’ struggles continued on their next possession. With approximately five minutes remaining in the half, McCall looked for a deep pass, but Cox intercepted him for the second time. Strongsville took over at its own 37-yard line and needed only a few plays to find the end zone again.
With 3:05 remaining, quarterback #18 Jack Kasner connected with wide receiver #13 Brayden Alfred on a screen pass. Alfred found open space and raced untouched into the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown, giving Strongsville a 31-0 advantage after the extra point.
The Mustangs’ defense delivered one more major play before halftime. McCall threw his third interception of the half, this time to #10 Nick Carrossellia, who returned the ball all the way to the Lorain one-yard line.
Carrossellia finished the possession himself, taking the ball straight up the middle on a designed quarterback keeper for a one-yard touchdown with 2:01 remaining. After another successful extra point, Strongsville carried a commanding 38-0 lead into halftime.
The Mustangs had piled up 195 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the first half, while their defense had intercepted McCall three times and held Lorain scoreless. The Titans still had yet to reach the red zone.
Second Half
Strongsville wasted little time adding to its lead after halftime. With 9:05 remaining in the third quarter, the Mustangs faced third-and-goal from the one-yard line. Kasner faked out the defense on a read-option play, kept the ball himself and walked into the end zone for another rushing touchdown. The extra point was good, extending Strongsville’s lead to 45-0.
Lorain finally broke through on its next scoring opportunity. With 4:30 remaining in the third quarter, McCall connected with wide receiver #37 Broderick Steward Jr. on a fade route down the right sideline. Steward hauled in the pass and completed a 38-yard touchdown reception to put the Titans on the scoreboard. Lorain attempted a two-point conversion but could not convert, leaving Strongsville ahead 45-6.
The Mustangs’ offense threatened to add another score in the fourth quarter before running back #29 Nathan Janakovich fumbled in the red zone. Lorain’s #20 Ja’Von Jackson recovered the loose ball to end the drive.
Lorain later attempted to convert fourth-and-15 from its own 15-yard line, but Strongsville’s defense came up with a sack to stop the attempt and give the Mustangs possession at the Titans’ 11-yard line with approximately four minutes remaining.
Strongsville maintained control through the closing minutes, finishing a convincing 45-6 victory behind an explosive rushing attack, timely passing and a defense that consistently created problems for Lorain.
Top Performers
Strongsville Mustangs
- Kendrick Boddie: 13 carries, 186 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD; 1 reception, 9 yards.
- Austin Tatulinski: 5 carries, 62 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 1 reception, 11 yards.
- Jack Kasner: 5-of-12 passing, 76 yards, 1 passing TD; 1 carry, 1 rushing TD.
- Brayden Alfred: 2 receptions, 45 yards, 1 receiving TD.
- Andrew Cox: 2 interceptions.
- Nick Carrossellia: 1 interception; 1 rushing attempt, 1 rushing TD.
Lorain Titans
- Leonard McCall: 15-of-28 passing, 165 yards, 1 passing TD, 3 interceptions; 4 carries, 47 rushing yards.
- Tyler Chapman: 7 receptions, 91 receiving yards.
- Amari Neal: 2 receptions, 28 receiving yards.
- Broderick Steward Jr.: 1 reception, 38 yards, 1 receiving TD.
- Ja’Von Jackson: 1 fumble recovery.
Big Plays
Strongsville’s defense set the tone with three first-half interceptions, including two by Andrew Cox and one by Nick Carrossellia. Carrossellia’s interception return to the Lorain one-yard line directly set up his own rushing touchdown, turning a defensive takeaway into another Mustangs score.
Boddie supplied the biggest rushing performance of the night, finishing with 186 yards on 13 carries and a six-yard touchdown. His production helped Strongsville establish control of the game and keep Lorain’s defense under pressure.
Alfred’s 38-yard screen-pass touchdown from Kasner was another major turning point in the second quarter, extending the Mustangs’ lead to 31-0. Lorain’s biggest offensive play came in the third quarter when Steward hauled in McCall’s 38-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline for the Titans’ only score.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- Strongsville, 4:06 — Vincent Roncone, 27-yard field goal (Strongsville 3-0).
- Strongsville, 0:41 — Kendrick Boddie, 6-yard rushing TD (XP good; Strongsville 10-0).
2nd Quarter
- Strongsville, 7:33 — Austin Tatulinski, 3-yard rushing TD (XP good; Strongsville 17-0).
- Strongsville, 5:15 — Austin Tatulinski, 7-yard rushing TD (XP good; Strongsville 24-0).
- Strongsville, 3:05 — Jack Kasner to Brayden Alfred, 38-yard passing TD (XP good; Strongsville 31-0).
- Strongsville, 2:01 — Nick Carrossellia, 1-yard rushing TD (XP good; Strongsville 38-0).
3rd Quarter
- Strongsville, 9:05 — Jack Kasner, 1-yard rushing TD (XP good; Strongsville 45-0).
- Lorain, 4:30 — Leonard McCall to Broderick Steward Jr., 38-yard passing TD (two-point conversion failed; Strongsville 45-6).
Final: Strongsville 45, Lorain 6
Players of the Game
Strongsville Mustangs — RB #0 Kendrick Boddie
Full stat line: 13 carries, 186 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD; 1 reception, 9 receiving yards.
Boddie was the engine behind Strongsville’s dominant offensive performance, averaging more than 14 yards per carry and consistently producing explosive gains. His six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter helped the Mustangs establish early control, and his 186 rushing yards powered a ground attack that kept Lorain on its heels throughout the night.
Lorain Titans — WR #1 Tyler Chapman
Full stat line: 7 receptions, 91 receiving yards.
Despite Lorain’s offensive struggles and the difficult circumstances created by three first-half interceptions, Chapman provided a reliable target in the passing game. His seven receptions and 91 yards accounted for the largest receiving total among the Titans, giving Lorain a consistent option through the air even as Strongsville controlled the scoreboard.
