Westlake Demons Top the Warrensville Heights Tigers in a Thrilling Come From Behind Win 24-14

WESTLAKE, OH – The Westlake Demons hosted the Warrensville Heights Tigers at University Hospital’s St. John Medical Center Stadium and found themselves down in a close game. In the end the Demons came out on top 24-14 after a thrilling come from behind win. 

The Demons were looking to keep their momentum rolling after a win against Rhodes last week. The Warrensville Heights Tigers looked to bounce back and get their first win of the season. 

After a slow start, the Demons clawed back from an early Tigers lead. The Demons offense surged behind junior wide receiver and defensive back Cooper Rummel, sophomore quarterback Sam Brucchieri and junior running back Matthew Porcelli. 

Rummel was a huge weapon on both offense and defense for the Demons tonight. He had a key carry that led to an eventual Demon touchdown and a crucial tackle to stop the Tigers from scoring. In the 4th quarter, Rummel also made an amazing catch. The 35-yard reception from Brucchieri put the Demons in the red zone. His key reception contributed to the Demons taking the lead. Rummel also ended the game with a fantastic interception. He put his skills on both sides on display tonight in this extraordinary performance. 

Sam Brucchieri was on fire tonight as he was able to showcase his athleticism and knowledge for the game. His accuracy and athleticism were on full display tonight as he was able to hit his receivers for key receptions. Brucchieri also ran the ball for 5 yards which helped contribute to a scoring drive. Brucchieri trusted his receivers and running backs tonight and led the Demons to a great team win. 

Matthew Porcelli’s speed was also on display tonight. He had an important 16-yard carry to get the first down for the Demons on a scoring drive. He also had a key 12-yard carry to put the Demons into field goal range. Porcelli played with heart and intensity tonight as he was a key factor in the Demon’s great team win tonight. 

This was a hard fought game until the very end. The Tigers came on very strong but were stopped late in the game by the Demon’s defense. The Tigers could not overcome costly penalties and the Demon’s explosive offense. While the game did not go the way the Tigers wanted it to, junior running back Victorion Ford, senior tight end Jaylen Hunter-Smith and senior Josiah Saulters all had amazing plays for the Tigers tonight. 

Ford was almost untouchable tonight. He had one key touchdown and added sizable rushes of 28 yards and 15 yards, twice.

Senior Josiah Saulters was key for the Tigers tonight. He had a scoring reception on the first drive of the game to put the Tigers on top early. Saulters also had a 35-yard reception later in the game that picked up a crucial first down for the Tigers. 

Jaylen Hunter-Smith ran the ball 40 yards during the Tigers opening drive to put the Tigers into the red zone. The Tigers were able to capitalize on the run by Hunter-Smith with a completed pass from Reggie Williams to Josiah Saulters for the touchdown. The Tigers were not successful in their 2-point conversion attempt, which put the score at 6-0 with 5:49 left in the 1st quarter. 

After forcing the Demons to a quick three and out, the Tigers kept their momentum rolling on their second drive. The dynamic duo of Williams and Hunter-Smith was on display after a 30-yard completion. Williams then handed the ball off to senior running back Ford to put the Tigers at first and goal. The Demon’s defense could not stop Ford as barreled into the endzone for a 10-yard score. After a successful 2-point conversion attempt by junior wide receiver Ryan Sims the Tigers extended their lead to 14- 0 with 1:26 left in the 1st quarter. 

After some quiet drives by the Demons, their offense sprang to life behind sophomore quarterback Sam Brucchieri and junior running back Matthew Porcelli. After a lengthy drive, the Demons were able to put themselves on the board. Matthew Porcelli had a 16-yard run to get the first down for the Demons. After three costly penalties on the Tigers, the Demons were able to capitalize. Brucchieri threw a 5-yard completion to senior wide receiver Liam Shields for the touchdown. Sophomore kicker Sean Evilsizer had a perfect kick for the extra point to put the score at 14-7 Tigers with 8:33 left in the half. 

The Demon’s defense came in clutch to keep the Tigers’ offense from scoring.  Junior offensive and defensive weapon Rummel had a key tackle to keep the Tigers from putting points on the board. 

The Demons fought down to the final seconds of the half. After some key offensive plays and a 12-yard run from Matthew Porcelli, the Demons found themselves in field goal range. Another perfect kick by Sean Evilsizer cut the Tigers lead to 14-10 with only 43 seconds in the half. 

In the last few seconds of the Tigers’ final drive of the half, the Demons were able to shift the momentum back into their favor. Right before the end of the half, Hugh Sullivan snagged an interception.

It was a quiet 3rd quarter for both the Demons and Tigers’ offenses. Both defenses had key plays that kept points off the board. 

The Demons fought back in the 4th quarter to take the lead. Cooper Rummel got the energy going for the Demons with a 35-yard reception to start the drive. This put the Demons into the red zone and a strong run by Porcelli for 8-yards put the Demons at first and goal. Brucchieri was the hero as he put the Demons on top with a 7-yard carry. Sean Evilsizer continued his perfect night and got the extra point for the Demons. The Demons took their first lead of the night with a score of 17-14 with 8:48 left to play. 

The Demons defense kept their dominance over the Tiger’s defense, forcing a quick three and out. 

Rummel opened the Demons next drive with a 30-yard reception to put the Demons back into the red zone. Porcelli ran the ball for 6-yards to once again put the Demons at first and goal. Senior running back Arrington Taylor caught the pass from Brucchieri for the touchdown. The Demons extended their lead over the Tigers 24-14 with only 2:25 left in the game. 

It was none other than Cooper Rummel who sealed the Tigers’ fate. On the Tigers’ last drive. Rummel had a 20-yard interception to guarantee a Demons win. 

My player of the game tonight is Cooper Rummel. Rummel had key offensive and defensive plays that contributed to a great Demons team win. Rummel had a 30-yard reception and a 35-yard reception that ignited scoring drives. He kept the Tigers from scoring with an amazing block in the end zone to throw the Tigers off their game. He continued to be the thorn in the Tigers’ side with a game-ending interception. 

The Warrensville Heights Tigers look to bounce back and get their first win next week as they host the Lutheran East Falcons on September 9, 2022. The Westlake Demons look to keep their winning streak going as they travel to Byers Field in Parma next week to take on the Parma Redmen on September 9, 2022.