Fri Feb 10 2012
by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
Twinsburg -- Much as it did in its opener against Maple Heights, Nordonia came into the contest against backyard rival Twinsburg as the underdog.
Once again, the Knights gave their foes everything they could handle.
However, once again it just wasn't enough.
Twinsburg needed a last-minute touchdown to seal the win, and the Tigers held on for a 28-14 victory over Nordonia Sept. 3 at Tigers Stadium.
Twinsburg improved to 2-0 with the win, while Nordonia dropped to 0-2.
For the second straight week, Knights coach Al Huge was left frustrated by his team's inability to seize opportunities on offense.
"We weren't able to make a play when we needed to down the stretch," Huge said. "We've got to be able to make plays when we need to."
Twinsburg coach Mark Solis said he had a feeling the game was going to be close.
"We left some points on the board in the first half and it was really tough sledding in the third quarter," Solis said. "We need to pass the ball more, but I was just so scared of turnovers. That's why we didn't throw more in the second half."
While Nordonia will leave the Northeast Ohio Conference for the Suburban League next season, both schools have committed to keep this game as a regular part of their schedules.
In fact, the game has been christened "The Bob Evans Backyard Brawl" and the two teams will play for a trophy each year, which was unveiled at that game.
The game opened in perfect fashion for the Knights.
On the first play from scrimmage, Nordonia quarterback Zach Lewis found running back Donnie Eatmon open for a screen pass on the near side. Eatmon followed his blockers to perfection and ran 80 yards for the touchdown.
Justin Politi's extra point gave Nordonia a 7-0 lead off the bat.
After that, it was a tough night for Lewis, as he finished 8-of-22 for 143 yards a touchdown and an interception.
While Nordonia's offense was explosive early, Twinsburg was a bit more methodical.
Tiger quarterback Aaron Macer led an 11-play, 80-yard drive to answer the touchdown, as Twinsburg's run-heavy spread offense had Nordonia off balance.
Sophomore John Burton finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown and Jacob Russell nailed the extra point to make it 7-7 with 7:27 left in the first quarter.
"I give credit to Twinsburg for the way they came right back at us after that big play," Huge said. "That's a very good offensive football team."
After a Nordonia punt, Twinsburg would take the lead with a 6-play, 50-yard drive. Wide receiver London Carter capped the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep.
Twinsburg's offense was ripping off large chunks of yards in the second half, but some dropped passes slowed them down.
Both teams also stuffed their opponents on fourth-down-and-short situations, including when Tiger running back Sam Burgess was held for no yards on fourth-and-1 at the Nordonia 10.
However, Twinsburg got the ball back on the next play, as Carter made a diving interception at the Nordonia 33.
Six plays later, Burgess ran in a 9-yard touchdown run. Russell's extra point made it 21-7 with 4:37 to go in the half.
Twinsburg looked like it might tack on another score before halftime, but Nordonia's Nick Rodriguez snagged his own diving interception with 27 seconds left in the half to avert the threat.
After racking up 245 rushing yards in the first half, Twinsburg seemed primed to put a stranglehold on the game as it got the ball to start the second half.
However, that's when things started to get interesting.
"We pride ourselves on being able to take the second-half kickoff, chew up some time and march down for a touchdown," Solis said. "We do that and its 28-7. Instead, we fumble, they score and its 21-14 and we've got a ballgame."
Burgess fumbled ball which Rodriguez recovered at the Twinsburg 30.
Five straight plays later, Eatmon ran in a 5-yard touchdown and Politi's extra point made it 21-14.
Eatmon finished with 17 rushes for 68 yards before cramping up in the second half.
Twinsburg's offense continued to sputter for most of the second half.
"Defensively, it took us a half to make adjustments," Huge said. "We were running out stuff and just getting our guys in the right position."
"They were really committing seven or eight guys to the run every time," Solis said. "I give them credit; they made adjustments."
Twinsburg was stuck in neutral, but Nordonia couldn't take advantage. Three times in the second half, Nordonia went for it on fourth-and-short in Tiger territory, but came up short.
The last of these defensive stands paved the way for the Tigers' clinching touchdown, but they had to convert twice on fourth down themselves.
First, Carter gained six yards on fourth-and-five from the Nordonia 25.
Then, Twinsburg faced fourth-and-goal from the Nordonia 2 with time winding down.
"The offense was determined; they all looked at me like 'Don't you dare send that field-goal unit out,'" Solis said.
Solis sent his offensive players back out and they repaid him when Burton ran in a 2-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Twinsburg's rushing attack had plenty of balance. Macer led the way with 20 rushes for 108 yards. Burgess added 76 yards on 17 carries, while Burton had 77 yards on 10 carries.
Macer also went 3-of-8 for 18 yards, but only attempted one pass after halftime.
Nordonia returns home Sept. 10 to face Notre Dame Catheral Latin. Kickoff at Boliantz Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
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