by WESTLAKE, OH – On Friday night, the Westlake Demons hosted the Lakewood Rangers at University Hospital’s St. John Stadium. The Demons came into the game hoping to continue their success following a win over Fairview last week. The Rangers look to bounce back this week after a loss to Valley Forge last week.
The Westlake Demons came out on top against the Lakewood Rangers 51-21. The Demons were electric on both offense and defense tonight and it contributed to a great team win. The Demons were led by sophomore quarterback Sam Brucchieri, junior running back Matthew Porcelli and junior wide receiver Cooper Rummel.
Sam Brucchieri led his offense in their amazing performance. He threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to score the Demons first touchdown of the night. Brucchieri threw a 38-yard completion and rushed for 8-yards on a down as well.
Matthew Porcelli’s speed powered the Demons during their amazing team win. He scored two of the Demons seven touchdowns. He had a 9-yard rushing touchdown and a 16-yard TD.
Cooper Rummel came up big for the Demons tonight. He also scored two of the Demons seven touchdowns. He scored the opening touchdown for the Demons after he caught a 29-yard reception. Rummel also had an impressive 68-yard rushing touchdown in the last few minutes of the first half.
The Demons scored first on a safety. Junior defensive linemen Andrew Palka sacked the Rangers quarterback Alex Symons in the Rangers end zone. The Demons were up 2-0 with 10:11 left in the 1st quarter.
The Demons capitalized on this turnover and added more points to the board. Sophomore quarterback Sam Brucchieri handed the ball off to junior running back Matthew Porcelli who rushed for 5 yards. The Demons rushed down the field to keep the drive alive. Brucchieri threw a perfect 29-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Cooper Rummel. Sophomore kicker Sean Evilsizer came on and scored the extra point for the Demons, putting the score at 9-0 with 6:35 left in the 1st quarter.
The Rangers offense was no match for the Demons unstoppable defense. The Demons found the ball back in their possession quickly after senior Arrington Taylor intercepted Alex Symons. The Demons capitalized on the turnover again with another remarkable pass by Sam Brucchieri. Brucchieri threw a 38-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver Kaden Cole to put the Demons into the red zone. Brucchieri put his speed on display as he rushed for 5 yards to put the Demons one yard from the end zone. Matthew Porcelli rushed right into the end zone for the touchdown. Sean Evilsizer came on and secured the extra point, putting the score at 16-0 with 4:31 left in the 1st quarter.
The Demons were unstoppable on both offense and defense tonight. Brucchieri began the drive with a 15-yard completion to senior wide receiver Liam Shields. Matthew Porcelli’s speed was no match for the Rangers defense as he rushed for 20 yards, right into the end zone, scoring a touchdown for the Demons. Evilsizer added the extra point for the Demons, putting the score at 23-0 with 1:13 left in the 1st quarter.
The Rangers fought back behind their quarterback Alex Symons. Symons got the momentum going for the Rangers after he started the drive with a 68-yard carry to put the Rangers into the red zone. Symons threw an 11-yard completion to senior wide receiver Eddie Gillick for a touchdown. Junior kicker David Burns came on and scored the extra point for the Rangers, putting the score at 23-7 with 10 seconds left in the 1st quarter.
The Demons bounced back in the 2nd quarter and added to their lead. Brucchieri began the drive with a 10-yard completion to Kaden Cole to start off the drive with a 1st down. Brucchieri passed the ball to Arrington Taylor who gained 7 yards on the play as he pushed past the Rangers defense. Matthew Porcelli’s speed was unstoppable. He weaved his way through the Rangers defense on a 16-yard carry to put the Demons back into the red zone. Porcelli ran right into the end zone to score the touchdown for the Demons. Sean Evilsizer came on and scored another extra point for the Demons, putting the score at 29-7 with 4:42 left in the half.
It wasn’t long until the Demons found themselves back inside the end zone. Cooper Rummel could not be caught by the Rangers defense as he raced down the field for a 65-yard rushing touchdown. Evilsizer continued his perfect night, securing the extra point, putting the Demons up 37-7 with 3:12 left in the half.
The Demons didn’t miss a beat after halftime. The Demons defense shined as senior strong safety Cael Cipollone intercepted Alex Symons. He ran the ball right into the endzone for the pick six. Sean Evilsizer came on and scored the extra point for the Demons, putting them up 44-7, with 7:40 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Demons defense shined once again as senior defensive linemen Matthew Randar intercepted Alex Symons. He carried the ball into the endzone for the second pick 6 of the night. Evilsizer kept his perfect night going as he scored the extra point, putting the Demons up 51-7 with 2:39 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Rangers were not done and didn’t give up. Sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Chappell returned the Demons punt for 95-yards, running right into the end zone, scoring a touchdown for the Rangers. Senior kicker Justin Kieres came on and scored the extra point for the Rangers to put the score at 51-14 with 2:25 left in the 3rd quarter.
Jaylen Chappell played with heart and grit as he made crucial plays for the Rangers. He faked a punt in the beginning of the 4th quarter and ran the ball into the endzone for a 49-yard rushing touchdown. Justin Kieres came on and scored another extra point to put the score at 51-21 with 10:17 left to play.
I feel that the player of the game was junior wide receiver Cooper Rummel. Rummel was a weapon on offense and defense. He forced the Rangers offense to quick 3-and outs on defense and he made several crucial offensive plays. He opened the game with a 29-yard touchdown reception to get the Demons going. He also had an impressive 68-yard rushing touchdown that scored another touchdown for the Demons. His speed and athleticism were no match for the Rangers defense tonight.
Following their win tonight and a win by Bay Village, the Westlake Demons will play the Avon Eagles in the first round of playoffs next week. They ended the regular season with a record of 5-5, a 3-4 conference record. The Lakewood Rangers end their season tonight with a record of 3-6 on the season and a 1-6 conference record.
Matt Porcelli had 3 Touchdowns