by Copley came out in the first half on fire but was no match for Amherst’s strong 2nd half run game. Comets quarterback Cole Norris struggled throwing the ball in the first half but ended up getting the job done with his legs in the 2nd, where he ran for over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Comets strong run game and resilient defense would go on to lead them to a 34-18 win over the Copley Indians.
Amherst received the opening kickoff looking to start their season off right, but in the second play from scrimmage, Copley put a quick end to those hopes. Cornerback AZ Patterson intercepted the first pass of the game and took it down to the 4 yard line. 2 plays later, Senior Quarterback Gabe Mansel threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Andrew McKnight, Puting the Indians up 6-0 after a missed PAT.
On Copleys next drive, the Comets defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs. This led to a big drive where Senior quarterback Cole Norris threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Eli Solak on 4th down, taking a 7-6 lead with 2:16 left in the first quarter.
A few drives later Amherst would force another turnover on downs. The excitement was however short lived for the Comets after Cole Norris threw another interception. This time Junior cornerback Collin Witherspoon III made a great jumping catch. Copleys drive led to another turnover on downs.
The struggles continued for quarterback Cole Norris as 2 plays into the ensuing Steele drive, he would throw another interception. The play was made by Junior linebacker Mi’Cyrin Miller, setting up the Indians near the 50 yard line. After a long, hard-fought drive, Quarterback Gabe Mansel ran for a 3-yard touchdown. There would be another missed PAT and the Indians would take a 12-7 lead with 5:56 left in the first half.
Both defenses continued to play well throughout the rest of the first half. The game would remain 12-7 Copley going into halftime with the Indians set to receive the 2nd half kickoff.
The Copley passing game and defense would prove themselves as big problems for the Comets in the first half. The Copley defense forced 3 interceptions and Senior Quarterback Caleb Mansel threw for 87 yards and a touchdown in the first 24 minutes of play. Mansel was also lethal on the ground with 56 first half yards and a rushing touchdown.
Amherst came out of the break with a fire lit under them. They started by forcing a 3 and out on the first drive of the half. They came out with a game plan to attack in the run game and they did just that on their first drive. Their rushing attack ended in a 23-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cole Norris, putting the comets back up 14-12.
The Indians offense had a quick response to the Comet’s score. Quarterback Gabe Mansel continued to shine as he outran the Amherst defense with a 41-yard run, setting up the Indians at the 9 yard line. Mansel then threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Andrew McKnight for his 2nd touchdown of the game. They would fail the 2 point conversion, making the score 18-14.
The Comets run game continued to strive on their next drive. Senior Running back J.R. Biers was rushing for 1st down after 1st down , highlighted by a 25-yard run. The Comets capped the drive with a 9-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Cole Norris, making it his 2nd of the game and the Comets 18th consecutive run.This gave the Comets a 21-18 lead.
Amherst would then force another punt and get right back to what was working, the run. They went back and forth with Cole Norris and J.R. Biers creating chunk play after chunk play. Cole Norris would break through for a 23-yard rushing touchdown making it his 3rd of the half and increasing the Comet lead to 28-18 with 9:29 left to play.
Looking to lead the Indians to a 4th quarter comeback, disaster struck for Gabe Mansel. On the first play of the ensuing drive his pass would be tipped at the line and intercepted by Comets senior linebacker Jeff Reichert.
The Comets got right back to work in the run game with J.R Biers busting out a 19 yard gain to start the drive. They continued to run back and forth with Biers and Norris, ending in Biers first touchdown of the night. It was a 2 yard run up the middle making the score 34-18 with 8:28 left to play.
Copley came out on their next drive needing a score to stay in the game. They found themselves with an early 4th and 1 at their own 20 yard line. Amherst’s defense stepped up and made the big stop forcing the turnover on downs.
Copley would see the ball one more time in the game, where Gabe Mansel and receiver Andrew McKnight would get the ball moving again. Andrew McKinght finished his night with 9 catches, 76 yards and a touchdown. However, Mansel would throw an interception in the back of the end zone to end the drive, letting the Comets run the ball out and end the game 34-18.
The rushing attack and stout defense from the Comets were the deciding factor in the 2nd half. Amherst ran the ball on every single play in the 2nd half, apart from 2 pass plays and Copley had no answer for it.
Copley was explosive at times and was much better through the air all night, but at the end of the day they were no match for the Comets run game.
Amherst looks to keep the run game going next week traveling to face the Buckeye Bucks and Copley looks to bounce back with another home game against Firestone.
Players Of The Game
Copley Quarterback Gabe Masel 18/31, 179 Yards 2 TD, 2 INT
Amherst Quarterback Cole Norris: 134 yards rushing on 17 attempts and 3 TD
Amherst Running Back J.R Biers: 142 yards rushing on 30 attempts and 1 TD
This was a good game. A good start to the new season. Great article. Thank you