by North Olmsted, OH – It was an absolute thriller that will be talked about for ages as the Westlake Demons defeated the North Olmsted Eagles 54-49 in a game that saw 15 total touchdowns. Westlake was led by stud running back Matthew Porcelli who went off for 205 yards on 34 carries with 4 massive touchdowns including the game winner.
Demons quarterback Sam Brucchieri tossed for 292 yards on 27 of 35 passing with a touchdown. His main targets were Cooper Rummell with 8 catches for 78 yards and Chace Kelly who had 9 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles have felt the effect of the return of star wideout Collin Willard, who once again tonight had a monster game with 12 catches for 264 yards, including 3 touchdowns. He also had a run for a 27-yard touchdown as he did it all tonight. His quarterback Tommy Horsfall had the best game of his career with 351 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.
For the Eagles, Michael Passafiume had a kickoff return for a touchdown along with a rushing touchdown. Brady Haug had 4 catches for 54 yards and Brayden Pavlus had multiple catches as well in the absolute shootout.
The Eagles had the ball first and moved the chains quickly into the redzone. From there, Willard took a slant from Horsfall and went 20 yards for the touchdown. Willard had 4 catches on the opening drive for a quick 56 yards and a touchdown. The Demons wasted no time responding with a 49-yard touchdown strike from Brucchieri to Chace Kelly. Just like that, only a few minutes into the game, it was a quick 7-7 ballgame. The first quarter ended with that same score.
The second quarter began with the Eagles driving again after a beautiful 21 yard run up the middle by Horsfall on a fake option to Chalkwater. Moments later, it was Williard taking a jet sweep 27 yards for the score to give the Eagles the lead back at 14-7 with 11:50 to go in the opening half.
After forcing a three and out, the Eagles got the ball right back, deep in their own territory. It didn’t matter as Williard remained red hot and took a sideline route all the way to the house from 85 yards out on the opening play of the drive to score. Minutes into the second quarter, Williard already had 7 catches for 154 yards, along with a run for 27 yards, and 3 total touchdowns.
A Demon drive responded well as Westlake moved the ball methodically down the field, setting up a 4th and 3 from the Eagles 12-yard line. A toss to Cooper Rummel kept the drive alive. A few moments later, it was Brucchieri cashing it in, to cut into the Eagle lead at 21-14 with 4:46 to go. The game went to halftime with that score.
The Demons began the second half with a dosage of ground and pound to pile up the first downs. They also mixed in passes to Rummel for 6,7 and 34 yards to get it to the goal line. A Matthew Porcelli run tied the game at 21. A 88 yard kickoff return by Michael Passafiume immediately gave the lead right back to the Eagles however, 28-21 with 7:39 to play.
The Demons second drive of the half, was an exact replay of the first one, with a ground pound with Porcelli. Just like the first one did, this one also resulted in points as Brucchieri finished it off with a 2 yard rumble to tie the game at 28 with 4:33 to play in the third quarter.
Things went from bad to worse for the Eagles as they attempted to run an option but led to the Demons picking off the pitch and taking it in for a touchdown. It was Malik Musleh catching the pitch and flooring it to paydirt. Just like that, Westlake took their first lead of the game 35-28 with 3:48 to play.
A major miscommunication between Horsfall and his receiver led to a Cooper Rummel interception on the next Eagles drive, giving the ball right back to the Demons. The nightmare quarter for the Eagles continued as the first two plays of the Demons drive were a 45-yard pass to Kelly followed up by a 22-yard run to Porcelli.
Seconds after that, it was another Porcelli touchdown run. With 2:32 to go in the half, it was now Westlake up 42-28 as they outscored the Eagles 28-7 in a 10-minute stretch to open the second quarter. It was also 35 straight points going back to the second quarter.
The Eagles began their comeback attempt to start the fourth quarter with a healthy drive. A screen pass that Passafiume took 22 yards into the endzone, cut into the lead at 42-35 with 9:45 to go in the contest. After a big fourth down stop deep in their own territory, the Eagles got the ball back, only down 7 with 7:01 to go. Like something out of a movie, Willard caught a 70-yard touchdown on the very first play, yet again, and just like that, we were tied up all over again at 42 each with 6:49 to play.
As the Collin Willard show went to a commercial break, we flicked back over to the Matthew Porcelli show who resumed his huge night with another big Demon drive. It was Porcelli doing it again, with his 3rd touchdown of the night, this time from 9 yards out. The two-point conversion attempt failed however, and left the door open for the Eagles, only down 6 at 48-42. This made 13 total touchdowns in this game with 3:20 to play.
One last Eagle drive to try and win the game began at their own 40. Brady Haug began to get open at will, including a major fourth down catch which gave the Eagles a first and 10 from the 12-yard line. Passafiume took the handoff and took it to the house. The extra point was long and true, and the Eagles recaptured the lead at 49-48 with 1:50 to play in a thriller.
Now, it was the Demons chance at last second comeback magic as they stuck to their bread and butter Matthew Porcelli who moved the ball at will on the Eagle defense once again. Porcelli scored his fourth touchdown of the night to make it 54-49 Demons with 18 seconds left, as the game saw its 15th touchdown of the night.
The Eagle last second attempt at a winning drive came up short.
Players of the Game
North Olmsted QB Tommy Horsfall 351 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.
North Olmsted WR Collins Willard with 12 catches for 264 yards and 4 touchdown catches.
Westlake RB Matthew Porcelli with 205 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
Westlake WR Cooper Rummel with 8 catches for 78 yards and an interception
Westlake WR Chace Kelly with 9 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown
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