WESTLAKE, Ohio — Up front and personal. That's how Olmsted Falls played defense on Friday night in shutting out Westlake, 10-0, in a Southwestern Conference contest at the Demons' Lou Duchez Field.
WESTLAKE, Ohio — Up front and personal.
That's how Olmsted Falls played defense on Friday night in shutting out Westlake, 10-0, in a Southwestern Conference contest at the Demons' Lou Duchez Field.
The visiting Bulldogs (4-3, 3-1) never let the home club get untracked as they kept alive their hopes for the postseason.
"It was team defense -- that's what was most important," said junior two-way lineman Mike Sauvey, who helped Olmsted Falls limit Westlake to less than 150 yards of offense. "This was pretty much a playoff game for us."
If down and dirty was how you liked your football, this was one for the muck and mire of the soft-field conditions.
It was strictly defense in the first half as neither could move the ball.
On its fourth series, the Bulldogs broke things open when junior quarterback Brennan Laird connected with senior receiver Zack Ferster on a crossing pattern good for 44 yards to the Westlake 21.
However, after gaining a first down, the drive stalled, and Ferster was called on for a 25-yard field goal for the half's only points.
Unofficially, the Bulldogs outgained the Demons, 106-24, in the half. Westlake did not have a first down.
"This one goes to the defense," said Olmsted Falls coach Jim Ryan. "They were playing field position like we were."
The Demons put together their best drive of the night to open the second half, moving 43 yards to the Olmsted Falls 27. But that drive ended there. They missed another opportunity when they recovered a fumble at the Bulldogs' 44 but were once again turned away on downs.
"At the end of the first half, they were getting frustrated," said Olmsted Falls senior captain and two-way lineman Ben Coyle. "When Zack got that touchdown, it really turned things our way."
The Bulldogs got their touchdown when Laird connected with Ferster on a 12-yard scoring pass with 11:13 to play. Ferster was unable to continue after that play because of leg cramps.
His younger brother, junior Nathan Ferster, came on and kicked the extra point.
"That was his first one," said Zack Ferster, referring to the point after. "They wanted to grind it out, just like we wanted to grind it out. We've played a tough nonconference schedule, and we wouldn't have it any other way."
The Demons (5-2, 2-2), who are seeking their first playoff appearance since 1987, could not solve the Olmsted Falls defense with any consistency. They did move the ball better in the second half, but several holding penalties wrecked momentum.
"They just took it to us up front," said Westlake coach Mark Campo. "Every time we'd get going, we'd have a penalty."
The Bulldogs relied on the power running of senior running back Jeremy Ortiz, who gained 92 yards on 24 carries. Laird was an efficient 4-for-5 passing for 98 yards.
Westlake junior running back Johnathon Brick, who had 40 carries for 247 yards last week, was limited to an unofficial 22 yards on 12 carries. Senior quarterback Mike Massad connected on 6-of-17 for 89 yards.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168