by AVON LAKE, Ohio – Avon Lake Memorial Stadium was filled with emotion on Senior Night this evening as the Shoremen handled the Middies 42-0. Many had feared that this night wouldn’t happen, but by the grace of the sports God’s, it certainly did.
Avon Lake improved to 2-1 and continues to not only look like one of the top teams in the SWC, but all of Division II. As believe it or not, we are already at the half way point of the regular season.
It was Senior quarterback Michael Corbo leading the way as his line gave him and his backs plenty of time all night. The line of Avon Lake continues to impress on both sides of the ball. Also leading the blocks was Senior Sensation and wrecking ball Griffin Lidyard.
Corbo finished with 186 yards passing on 10 of 12 passing with 2 TD’s. He also ran twice, scoring both times while racking up 49 yards on the ground. A huge night for Corbo as the big boys up front continued to dominate.
Gage Duesler continued to impress as well. The speedy back had been a staple of this offense for the last few seasons. Duesler piled up 108 yards on 17 carries, scoring once as well. Duesler used a strong lower body and incredible drive to bust through tacklers.
Corbo spread the ball around nicely tonight as well, as the Shoremen receiving core looked great. Sam Mikolich, Aidan Grabowski, Michael Stuewe, Ryan Kemer, Nathan Cikalo and Mitchell Fedders all had catches.
Cikalo had 2 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 54-yard pick six late in the game as well. Cikalo was everywhere tonight. Fedders also yanked down three balls for 40 yards and a touchdown.
For the Middies, it was quarterback Ethan Surdock doing his best to keep it as close as possible. He simply didn’t have the adequate amount of time to let plays develop as the Avon Lake pass rush proved to be too much. The Middies finished with 78 total yards.
The Shoremen scored twice in the opening quarter with a gage Duesler opening drive 3 yard touchdown run and then a beautiful over the shoulder connection from 14 yards out from Corbo to Fedders to build the 14-0 lead.
The Middies defense held firm for the majority of the second quarter, including a goal line stand late in the quarter in which they picked off Corbo.
They failed to do anything with the momentum however and punted it back to Avon Lake with 67 seconds left in the half. That is all Avon Lake needed as it was Corbo hooking up with Nathan Cikalo for a 70-yard bomb to end the half.
The Shoremen picked up exactly where they left off to start the second quarter as only moments into it, it was Corbo jetting down the field for a 46 yards touchdown run.
Later in the third he would tack on a 3-yard touchdown jaunt, and it was all over but the shouting, and a loud horn coming from super fan Joe Bolognia. Nathan Cikalo would cap off the scoring with his 56-yard pick six in the 4th.
Next weekend Avon Lake travels to Amherst while Midview returns home to host Berea-Midpark.
Players of the game
Cobo: 186 yards passing on 10 of 12 passing with 2 TD’s. He also ran twice, scoring both times while racking up 49.
Cikalo – 18 yards receiving, also a pick six from 54 yards out.
