See a photo gallery from the game here. AURORA — Just like last season’s Division IV state runner up team, Chagrin Falls is hitting its stride at just the right time. The Tigers put away Cortland Lakeview early with an emphatic 55-28 victory over the Bulldogs in a regional semifinal on Friday night at Veterans Stadium in Aurora.
See a photo gallery from the game here.
AURORA — Just like last season’s Division IV state runner up team, Chagrin Falls is hitting its stride at just the right time. The Tigers put away Cortland Lakeview early with an emphatic 55-28 victory over the Bulldogs in a regional semifinal on Friday night at Veterans Stadium in Aurora.
The Bulldogs drove right down the field on the first possession of the game, taking less than 2:30 minutes to take a 7-0 lead.
"You can’t panic," said Chagrin Falls coach Mark Iammarino. "The guys had confidence when we answered offensively."
The Tigers didn’t panic at all as they scored 42 unanswered points before halftime to put the game away early.
Chagrin Falls (11-1) will advance to play the winner of Akron Manchester and Youngstown Campbell in a regional final at 7:30 p.m. Friday at a site to be determined. Lakeview’s season ends at 9-3.
Defense and special teams led the way. The Tigers held a 14-7 lead after two short Kurt Vidmer scoring runs when Everett Dishong blocked a punt as Chagrin Falls took over on the Bulldog 36. On the next play Spencer Diedrich threw a touchdown pass to Anthony DeCamillo on a reverse pass for a 21-7 lead.
Then, Paul Fredrickson returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead.
Diedrich followed that with a 53-yard punt return to set up a 24-yard touchdown run by Jack Campbell and a 35-7 lead. Campbell had just nine rushes, but gained 96 yards.
Cathal Chaffee capped a dominating first half when he returned a interception 42 yards for a touchdown and a 42-7 lead with 4:11 left in the first half.
Iammarino was especially pleased to see some of his reserve players make the big plays on defense and special teams.
"Some of those guys are not regulars," Iammarino said. "That’s great to see. They got a chance to perform."
Chagrin Falls finished with six sacks as well, including two from Dan Driscoll and Andrew Winkelman.
"Our ends are athletic, which really helps to get pressure" Iammarino said. "You have to pressure without blitzing. You can’t live and die with the blitz."