See a photo gallery from the game here. AVON LAKE, Ohio — One waiting game was over. But another one was just beginning.
See a photo gallery from the game here.
AVON LAKE, Ohio — One waiting game was over. But another one was just beginning.
Avon Lake knows how fortunate it is to know its football plans. The Shoremen, dodging disaster for nearly three quarters, came away with a share of the Southwestern Conference title by defeating Amherst, 21-17, on Friday night at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium.
Not until defenders Brett Bass and Trent Toy knocked down a pass with no time on the clock could the home club and its fans breathe easy.
"That was two quality teams," said Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz, whose club upped its mark to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference to tie Olmsted Falls. "It was high intensity. Our defense did a heck of a job because our offense got off track."
The Shoremen led, 21-0, one play into the second quarter. After that, the game turned to one of Amherst moving the ball behind the passing of Toy and a staunch defense limiting Avon Lake's offensive chances.
Trailing, 21-10, at the break, the Comets (8-2, 5-2) cut the deficit to 21-17 on a 2-yard run by senior Jason Stump with 7:42 left in the third quarter.
The Comets were turned away on downs at the Avon Lake 24 early in the fourth quarter and were forced to punt two times after that. But taking over at their 30 with :57 seconds to go, the Comets moved to the Avon Lake 13 with five ticks on the clock.
But senior quarterback Brennan Hosier could not sneak one more pass into the hands of senior wide receiver Adam Herbert in the middle of the end zone and the celebration was on for the Shoremen, who will get into the playoffs in Division II, Region 6.
The loss means Amherst will have to sweat matters out until the official playoff pairings are announced Sunday. The Comets came in standing eighth in Division I, Region 2.
"We dug ourselves and couldn't get out of it," said Amherst coach Kevin Fell, whose club won its first eight games. "I guess we came up a couple yards short."
Unofficially, the Comets outgained the Shoremen, 390-198. Hosier passed for 302 yards and one touchdown. Toy passed for 165 yards and a score.
The Shoremen scored the first two times they had the ball.
Taking advantage of a good return of the opening kickoff by senior Alex Grunick, Avon Lake covered 37 yards in eight plays with senior Zach Johnson going in from 1 yard.
Facing another short field, the Shoremen needed only two plays to move 47 yards. Toy hooked up with senior wide receiver Ron Willoughby for 37 yards and junior Dontez Smith got the final 10 yards on a sweep around right end.
On the first play of the second quarter, Toy found Grunick over the middle at the 10 and he completed the 32-yard scoring play for a 21-0 advantage.
The Comets definitely needed a boost and they got it when senior wide receiver Tyler Parrish came down with a tipped pass and went 59 yards to the Avon Lake 18. On the next play, senior Adam Herbert caught a short out pattern and went down the right sideline for the touchdown.
Amherst nearly got another score when it moved to the Avon Lake 14, but senior linebacker John Hegarty intercepted a tipped pass at his 12. The Comets moved into scoring territory again, but had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by senior Tyler Bires.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168