by Chagrin Falls, Ohio – The VASJ Vikings rallied behind their ground game to prevail, 53-35, over the host Kenston Bombers on Friday night.
Kenston grabbed early control when senior tailback Cohen Clark ran for a seven-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and the Bombers’ lead stood at 7-0 with 3:43 left in the first quarter. They would force a turnover on the ensuing kickoff when Mason Schurr recovered a fumble. A short drive was completed with another touchdown as Ethan Burge scored from two yards out to increase the Bomber lead to 14-0.
VASJ answered when Johnny Vuraich found Savion Lewis for a 32-yard touchdown reception to cut their deficit to 14-7 with 1:12 left in the first quarter.
After snuffing out a fourth-and-inches sneak attempt by Kenston at their own 29-yard line, the Vikings got the ball back with a chance to even the score. They responded as junior TJ Moore found the end zone from four yards out. The PAT was good, thus knotting the score at 14 less than a minute into the second quarter.
Kenston’s defense came up with another big play, thanks to Tucker Meeks recovering a fumble on a punt return. The Bombers would capitalize as Cohen Clark found the end zone once again from four yards out. This score put the Bombers in front, 21-14, with 5:48 left in the second quarter.
Despite being in the shadow of their own end zone thanks to a muffed kickoff return, VASJ would respond with a score of their own. Johnny Vuraich completed a pass to sophomore tight end DeAngelo White. With great blocking downfield, White found a hole and was off to the races from there. Their 79-yard touchdown connection plus the PAT evened the score at 21 with 4:07 left in the second quarter.
The score would remain tied at 21 going into the halftime break.
VASJ senior two-way athlete Christian Chase took the second half kickoff 88 yards to the house. This gave the Vikings the lead for the first time, 28-21.
After forcing a punt, the Vikings found the end zone once again. TJ Moore took a handoff 65 yards to the house for his second touchdown of the game. This increased the lead to 34-21 at the 9:55 mark of the third quarter.
Kenston’s defense came up big once again. Senior Zy’Ar Scott came up with a blocked punt, and Cohen Clark picked up the loose ball and took it 28 yards to the house, cutting the Bomber deficit to 34-28 with 5:47 left in the third.
VASJ would bounce back, as Johnny Vuraich found Savion Lewis for a huge third-down conversion to keep their drive alive. Vuraich would take it in from a yard out. This increased the lead to 40-28 with 4:34 left in the third.
Kenston needed to respond, and did so early in the fourth quarter. Cohen Clark scored for the fourth time Friday night, this on a fourth-and-goal, cutting their deficit to 40-35 with 10:45 left.
Johnny Vuraich tossed his second touchdown of the game, finding a wide-open Christian Chase from 24 yards out to increase their lead to 47-35 with 7:45 left. He was 9 of 15 passing for 251 yards and the three scores.
After a defensive stop, VASJ iced the game behind the legs of TJ Moore. The tailback broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run to ice the ball game, putting the Vikings ahead, 53-35 with 4:01 to play.
VASJ moves to 4-0 and travels to Cleveland Central Catholic on Saturday, September 21st.
Kenston, now 2-2 travels to undefeated Lake Catholic on Thursday, September 19th to wrap up non-conference play.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
TJ Moore (VASJ)
The junior tailback stepped up in a huge way after Ohio State commit Bo Jackson left due a first-quarter injury. He had touchdown runs of four, 65, and 55.
Cohen Clark (Kenston)
The senior tailback accounted for four touchdowns. On the ground, he had 17 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Extended highlights below:
One thought on “VASJ defeats Kenston, 53-35, behind strong second-half performance”