by Amherst, OH – On Friday night, the Amherst Comets hosted the Midview Middies at Mercy Health Stadium. The Comets came into the game looking to keep rolling following their victory against the North Olmsted Eagles. The Midview Middies came into the game coming off a great win over the Elyria Catholic Panthers. After a strong defensive battle on both sides, the Amherst Comets were victorious with a 17-7 win.
The first drives by both teams got the game off to a very quiet start. The defense on both sides shut the offense down and kept the score deadlocked at 0-0. The Midview Middies second drive of the night started with more success than the first. Senior quarterback Ethan Elbert threw a 7-yard completion to senior wide receiver Dane West. Elbert handed the ball off to sophomore running back Michael Passerrello Jr. who carried the ball for 6 yards to pick up the 1st down for the Middies. The drive flipped on its head when Elbert was intercepted by senior defensive back Landon Fellenstein, who raced down the field and into the endzone, putting the Comets on the scoreboard first. Junior kicker Nathan Stewart came on and secured the extra point, making the score 7-0 with 4:10 left in the 1st quarter.
The Middies took the field again, looking to bounce back from their previous drive. Elbert handed the ball off to senior running back Hunter Anderson who carried the ball for 5 yards. Elbert threw a 6-yard completion to junior wide receiver Camden Scott to secure a 1st down for the Middies. Elbert threw a 42-yard completion to Anderson who was stopped by Fellenstein, still putting the Middies into the RedZone. Elbert handed the ball off to Passerrello Jr. who evaded the Comets defense and carried the ball 17 yards for the 1st down. Elbert, under pressure from the Comets defense, threw another interception to Fellenstein.
After a costly penalty on the Comets ensuing drive, they were forced to punt. Unscathed from the prior turnover, the Middies took the field again, hoping to get on the scoreboard. Elbert handed the ball off to Anderson who carried the ball for 9 yards. Elbert was able to redeem himself as he threw a laser pass to junior wide receiver Dior Jones for a 57-yard touchdown. Sophomore kicker Chris Payne came on and kicked the extra point, putting the score at 7-7 with 10:52 left in the half.
With seconds left in the half, Elbert broke loose and raced downfield for 20 yards. A costly face mask penalty on the Comets pushed the Middies downfield 15 yards. Elbert threw a 10-yard completion to Jones to give the Middies the 1st down. With the clock working against them the Middies settled for a 28-yard field goal attempt. Payne came on and missed the field goal to end the half.
The Comets came out in the 2nd half and started the drive off with a 7-yard carry by junior running back J.R. Bires. Junior quarterback Cole Norris threw a 10-yard completion to junior wide receiver Eli Solak to secure the 1st down for the Comets. A 15-yard pass interference penalty on the Middies moved the Comets downfield. A second pass interference penalty was called on the Middies that put the Comets into 1st and goal. After a carry for no gain and two incomplete passes, the Comets were held to a field goal. Stewart came on and kicked the 18 yard field goal, putting the score at 10-7 with 8:28 left in the 3rd quarter.
Following a punt by Elbert that went out of bounds at the 19-yard line, the Comets were set up to put more points on the scoreboard. Norris handed the ball off to Bires who carried the ball for 4 yards. Norris threw a bullet pass to Solak who was open in the endzone, giving the Comets a 17-yard touchdown. Stewart came on and tacked on the extra point, putting the score at 17-7 with just minutes left to play.
This week’s player of the game was defensive back Landon Fellenstein of the Comets. He had two interceptions, one touchdown and a crucial tackle to stop the Middies from scoring. Wide receiver Eli Solak was an honorable mention for player of the week with 6 catches for 71 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Next week, the Amherst Comets look to keep their momentum rolling as they host the Berea-Midpark Titans. The Midview Middies look to bounce back next week as they host the Avon Lake Shoremen.
