by The Firelands Falcons hosted their rival, Vermilion Sailors at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons came into the game looking to keep the Stillman cup in their possession, trying to bounce back from a loss to Edison last week. The Sailors came into the game looking to keep their energy rolling after coming off a 26-0 win against Margaretta.
It was a back and forth battle between both teams but the Vermilion Sailors ended up taking the Stillman Cup with a final score of 42-23. They were led to victory by senior quarterback, Aaron Mathis, junior running back, Evan Kuhns and senior running back, Cohen Mooney.
The Falcons scored their first touchdown before their offense even touched the field. Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Pawlak returned the opening kickoff right into the endzone for a 97-yard touchdown. Sophomore kicker Caleb Crawford came on and scored the extra point, putting the score at 7-0 with 11:47 left to go in the 1st quarter.
After nearly turning the ball over on the kickoff, the Sailors rebounded and answered back. Senior quarterback Aaron Mathis handed the ball off to junior running back, Evan Kuhns who threw the Falcons defense off guard. He raced down the field and into the end zone for a 76-yard rushing touchdown. Senior kicker Zeke Dunn came on and scored the extra point, tying the game at 7-7 with 11:30 left in the 1st quarter.
The Falcons kept their energy alive going into their second drive of the night. The Falcons were able to overcome a 5-yard false start penalty on the offense to start off the drive. Sophomore quarterback, Liam Tobicash threw an 11-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver, Lucas Green to secure a 1st down.
Tobicash secured another 1st down on a quarterback keeper, gaining 8-yards, after the Falcons gained 3-yards on a carry by senior running back, Collin Scott. A series of small runs kept the Falcons moving downfield. Tobicash handed the ball to junior running back, Jimmy Berry who carried the ball 11-yards, securing 1st and goal for the Falcons. After losing 2-yards, Tobicash and the Falcons bounced back. He found a wide open junior tight end, Ayden Fortner for an 11-yard touchdown completion. Crawford came on and missed the extra point, putting the score at 13-7 with 4:29 left in the 1st quarter.
After being forced to a 3-and-out, the Sailors stormed back. Senior linebacker Cohen Mooney intercepted Tobicash to give the Sailors the ball. Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who carried the ball for 5-yards, to put the Sailors into the red zone. Mathis found an opening in the Falcons’ defense and raced into the end zone for a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Dunn came on and scored the extra point, making the score 14 – 13 to end the 1st quarter.
After a defensive stand off on both sides to start the 2nd quarter, the Falcons struck first. Tobicash handed the ball off to Pawlak who carried the ball for 8-yards. Tobicash handed the ball off to Pawlak and he was the hero for the Falcons once again. He evaded the Sailors’ defense and raced into the end zone for a 52-yard rushing touchdown. Crawford came on and scored the extra point, making the score 20-14 with 5:11 left in the half.
The Sailors answered back right back, and took back the lead. Mathis opened up the drive with a 9-yard carry. The Sailors ran a trick play that left the Falcons defense confused. Mathis handed the ball off to Mooney who then handed the ball off to Kuhns who carried the ball 15-yards. Mathis found a wide open junior wide receiver, Brock Myers for a 14-yard completion. Mathis found a hole in the defense and ran into the end zone for a 30-yard rushing touchdown that was negated by a 10-yard holding penalty on the offense. The Sailors did not let that penalty phase them. Mathis remained calm and composed. He handed the ball off to the Kuhns who gained 6-yards for the Sailors. Mathis was able to successfully evade the Falcons defense again as he ran into the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown. Dunn came on and kicked the extra point, making the score 21-20 with 1:37 left in the half.
The Sailors found themselves in trouble when they had a -14-yard punt, putting the Falcons close to the end zone. The Sailors defense stepped up and forced the Falcons to go for the 34-yard field goal attempt. 36 came on and made the field goal, putting the score at 23-21 with 8:41 left in the 3rd quarter.
Mathis and the Sailors kept their momentum rolling on their next drive. Mathis found Myers for a 6-yard completion to start the drive. Mathis passed the ball off to Kuhns who carried the ball for 23-yards, to secure the 1st down for the Sailors. The Sailors capitalized on their run game to evade the Falcons defense. Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who carried the ball for another 14-yards. Mathis handed the ball off to his other weapon, Mooney who carried the ball 16-yards to put the Sailors at 1st and goal.
Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who darted into the endzone for a 6-yard rushing touchdown. The Sailors decided to go for the 2-point conversion and Mathis powered his way into the end zone to score the 2-point conversion for the Sailors, putting the score at 29-23 with 5:35 left in the 1st quarter.
The Falcons threatened the Sailors as they marched downfield. The Falcons were 1st and goal but the Sailors’ defense held the Falcons scoreless. The Falcons decided to go for it on 4th and 2 and came up short, giving the ball back to the Sailors.
The Sailors capitalized on the opportunity. Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who could not be stopped. He carried the ball 31-yards to open the drive. Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who remained elusive. He ran for another 25-yards, securing another 1st down. Kuhns 14-yard carry was negated by a 8-yard holding penalty on the offense. Despite the penalty, the Sailors were still able to score when Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns who dashed into the end zone for a 35-yard rushing touchdown. The Sailors failed to convert on the 2-point attempt, making the score 35-23 with 6:25 left in the game.
The Sailors were not done yet! Mathis handed the ball off to Kuhns to start off the drive with a 4-yard carry. Mathis successfully evaded the Falcons defense and took off with a 37-yard carry. Back to back 7-yard carries by Kuhns and Mooney put the Sailors into 1st and goal. Mathis handed the ball off to Mooney who rushed into the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Dunn came back on and scored the extra point, making the score 41-23 with 47 seconds left in the game.
This week’s player of the game was junior running back, Evan Kuhns of the Vermilion Sailors. Kuhns could not be stopped by the defense and played a vital role in the Sailors’ win. He boasted an impressive statline of 18 carries, 253 rushing yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns. The Sailors’ run game could not be stopped tonight. As a team, they ran for 446 yards with 6 rushing touchdowns.
Next week, the Vermilion Sailors hope to add to the win column as they host the Willard Crimson Flashes. The Firelands Falcons look to bounce back as they host the Poland Seminary Bulldogs.
