by STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – The temperatures were low, but the vibes were high as the Strongsville Mustangs defended home field on senior night, shutting out the Shaker Heights Red Raiders 17-0. The Mustangs came out focused and determined, asserting their dominance and controlling the game throughout the night.
Tonight’s contest got off to a slow start, as neither team found themselves able to get much going through the first couple of drives. The only score in the first quarter was a field goal by the Mustangs, who went up 3-0. However, the Mustangs set the tone coming out of the gates at the start of the second quarter, where their quarterback Nick Carrossellia slung a 44-yard bomb to wide receiver Alex Espay. The Mustangs then successfully converted the two-point attempt, bringing the score to 11-0.
Midway through the second quarter, the Mustangs gained possession after sacking the Red Raiders’ quarterback on the four-yard line. The Mustangs attempted a goal-line tush push, but fumbled the ball, and the Red Raiders got the ball back.
After a solid drive down the field by the Red Raiders and a trifecta of first downs, including a 19-yard scramble by quarterback Jacire Eaddy, the Mustangs chased Eaddy into the backfield and sacked him on 4th down. With 11 seconds to go, Mustang kicker Vincent Roncone drilled an impressive 47-yard field goal to close out the half, bringing the score to 14-0 in favor of Strongsville.
The second half started out in a thrilling back-and-forth fashion. After an empty possession by the Red Raiders, they punted off to the Mustangs, but a dropped kick return attempt by the Mustangs turned the ball right back to the Red Raiders. However, a couple of plays later, Mustang Shane McIntyre intercepted the Red Raider quarterback Jacire Eaddy’s pass. The Mustangs made their way down the field with four first downs and attempted to kick a field goal, which was blocked by Kingston Seals.
The final score of the night was in the fourth quarter, off of another field goal by Mustang kicker Vincent Roncone, who tied the school record for made field goals in a single game tonight with three. He had himself quite a night!
Strongsville switched between two quarterbacks tonight, Jack Kasner and Nick Carrossellia. They both played great games; Kasner connected on six passes for 64 yards, and Carrossellia made four passes for 87 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown in the first half.
Wide receiver Alex Espay played a great game as well, coming away with 108 receiving yards and a 44-yard touchdown.
However, the Mustangs’ standout player of the game had to be “freshman flash” running back Austin Tatulinski, who carried the ball for an impressive 118 yards.
On the flip side, the Red Raiders’ player of the night was their quarterback Jacire Eaddy, who connected on six passes for 64 yards along with 44 scramble yards.
Wide receiver Kevin Lowry also had a good game, catching for 45 yards.
The Strongsville Mustangs move on to 7-2 on the season, and travel to Brunswick next week to take on the Blue Devils, who are 5-4 on the year.
For the Shaker Heights Red Raiders, they’ll host Cleveland Heights and the Tigers, who are 4-5 for the season.
That wraps up another great evening of high school football. The temperatures may be dropping, but the race for the playoffs is heating up here in Northeast Ohio!
