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EASTLAKE, Ohio – Friday (Sept. 25) night saw the 61st edition of the Border Battle between the visiting Willoughby South Rebels and the Eastlake North Rangers. But for only the second time in the storied rivalry, the game went to overtime.
The fans at Nick Carter Stadium were treated to an overtime thriller, with Willoughby South pulling out a “walk-off” 28-22 win over the Eastlake North Rangers. Junior Ira Sampson gave the Rebels the win with an one-yard touchdown run.
The Rebels opened the game with the ball and turned in an efficient drive on all fronts. Junior David McClain returned the opening kickoff 58 yards, putting South in great field position. Sophomore Colin Quinlan kept the drive alive with a 15-yard completion to Sampson on fourth down.
Two plays later, sophomore Tyrone Singleton punched it in from four yards out. Sophomore Bryce Figler took a botched snap to the right pylon for a two-point conversion. South led 8-0 with 10:14 left in the first quarter.
The Rangers marched all the way to the five yard line with a 12 play drive behind the rushing attack. Facing fourth down and three, the Rebels defense made a stand when a bad snap led to a turnover on downs.
After a Rebels punt, senior Chris Molica broke free for a 73 yard touchdown run as the Rangers pulled within one, 8-7. That was Molica’s 11th rushing touchdown of the year and third of 70 yards or more.
North closed the first quarter, beginning a 12 play, 82 yard scoring drive. Freshman Reontae Lowery capped the drive with a ten yard touchdown run, as North gained a 14-8 lead with 7:45 to go in the first half.
The Rebels’ defense made their second fourth down stop in the red zone in the closing 90 seconds of the first half. Lowery was stopped for no gain on a fourth and one at the South 16 yard line. The Rangers led 14-8 at halftime, gathering 277 rushing yards in the first half.
Eastlake North started the second half with the ball but the drive came to an end early. Junior Mo Morgan fumbled the ball, as the Rebels came up with the ball in their territory. Willoughby South missed a field goal attempt, allowing the fumble to not cause any damage.
Both teams punted on their next drives before Willoughby South forced their second fumble of the night. After Molica completed a 14 yard pass to senior Zack Kozel, Kozel fumbled the ball and the Rebels pounced on it.
Three plays later, Singleton scored on a 16 yard touchdown run, putting the Rebels back in front 15-14. Singleton’s second score of the night gave South the lead with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
Eastlake North used a 11 play, 64 yard drive spanning over six minutes as they jumped back in front with an answer. Lowery scored his second score of the night, this time from three yards away.
Molica found freshman Steven Cammack in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion. The Rangers held a 22-15 lead with 7:22 left.
Willoughby South was forced to punt, giving the Rangers back the ball with four minutes left and a seven point lead. The South defense forced North to go three and out but an interesting moment happened for the fourth down and ten call.
With Molica as the punter and standing on his ten-yard line, the Rangers called a fake punt but Willoughby South blew it up from the outset. Molica got two yards and gave the Rebels great field position.
Willoughby South, with newly found momentum after the fake punt snafu, began their drive at the North 16 yard line with 2:37 left.
On the first play from scrimmage, Singleton added to his party with a 16 yard touchdown run, the third of the night for the sophomore. After the extra point, we had a tie game at 22 all with 2:37 to go.
North’s offense fizzled in the closing two minutes, running the clock out to head to overtime, tied at 22.
Eastlake North got the first chance at overtime as they looked to set the tone in the extra period. After driving to the one-yard line at one point, two offensive penalties killed North’s momentum, leading to a missed field goal for the lead.
Willoughby South got the ball and knew that any score would clinch a win for the Rebels. Singleton used back-to-back runs of 14 and five yards, respectively to put South at the one-yard line. After a timeout, Sampson ran right side for the win from one yard away. Willoughby South escaped Nick Carter Stadium with an 28-22 win in overtime.
North ended the game with a game-high 335 yards of offense on 66 plays. The Rangers totaled 327 yards on the ground, grabbing 19 first downs.
Molica completed both pass attempts for a total of eight yards passing. He surpassed 100 yards rushing for the fifth straight game, as he tallied 121 yards with 23 carries and one touchdown. Morgan ran 22 times for 107 yards while Lowery cashed in two of his eight carries (35 yards) for touchdowns.
South finished with 241 yards of total offense on 54 plays. The passing game totaled 64 yards while the rushing offense managed 177 yards. The Rebels overcame a 16.7% third down conversion rate (2-12) and 12 penalties in the win.
Quinlan was six of 17 passing with 64 yards in the air. He added 65 yards on 16 rushes on the ground. Singleton had a game with 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Sampson, who clinched the victory, was held to nine yards on five carries, but was very busy on defense with 10.5 tackles.
The Rebels defense held the Rangers to 98 yards of total offense in the second half, while coming away with three fourth down stands in the contest.
South improved to 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the Western Reserve Conference and will end the regular season at home against Kenston next week. North dropped to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in WRC play before they play at Riverside in week six.
Highlights of Friday’s game can be found here, called by Tyler Stotsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lxyrId__Ds&feature=youtu.be
Player of the Game: South RB Tyrone Singleton: 14 carries, 111 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
