by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Macedonia -- The Nordonia community couldn't have asked for a more dramatic game to open the new Boliantz Stadium.

The Knight faithful probably wish a few more breaks had gone Nordonia's way, though.

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 4,000 people witnessed the Knights give defending Division II state runner-up Maple Heights all it could handle.

However, a pair of last-minute touchdowns proved the difference as Maple pulled out a 26-14 win.

Although the Knights went toe-to-toe with the Mustangs, Nordonia coach Al Huge was quick to dismiss any thoughts of a "moral victory."

"We make mistakes down the stretch which cost us the game," Huge said. "We had opportunities to win but just couldn't take advantage."

Mustangs coach Todd Filtz said his team's character showed through in the game.

"That is the gutsiest effort I've seen in six years of coaching at Maple," Filtz said. "That is a team of effort and determination. That's what we've preached to them all through training camp. Tonight, we found out we weren't just talking to ourselves."

Maple looked like a well-oiled machine during its first drive. Quarterback Shaq Washington mixed up runs and passes out of Maple's spread offense and led the Mustangs on a nine-play, 61-yard drive to open the scoring.

Washington capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. Maple missed the extra point, but the Mustangs had a 6-0 lead with 6:40 left in the first.

From that point on, however, Nordonia's defense did a decent job containing Maple's offense. In fact, the Knights forced five turnovers on the night.

"I love the way we responded after that first drive," Huge said.

Meanwhile, Nordonia's offense got untracked later in the first quarter. Aided by a personal foul penalty on the Mustangs, Nordonia got on the board when quarterback Zach Lewis found wide receiver Brandynn Clark with a screen pass. Clark followed his blockers and broke loose for a 38-yard touchdown.

Kicker Justin Politi's extra point gave Nordonia a 7-6 lead with 1:06 left in the first quarter.

Lewis had an up-and-down night as he went 9-of-20 for 79 yards and a touchdown, although the Knights also dropped several balls. Clark led the Nordonia receivers with six catches for 55 yards.

Early in the second quarter, Maple's worst nightmare took place. Washington attempted to run an option, but found himself stuffed by several Nordonia defenders. The Knights were whistled for a late hit, but Washington stayed down after the play.

The University of Cincinnati recruit did not return to the contest after suffering a knee injury.

With Washington out, Maple's passing offense fell apart. The Mustangs had only 19 yards passing and three interceptions.

However, it was a Nordonia interception that led to the next score. On a halfback option pass, Paul Ward's pass was tipped and intercepted by Maple's Arieus Townes at the Nordonia 45.

Nine plays later, backup quarterback John Welcome ran in a 2-yard touchdown. Welcome then found Andre Stubbs in the end zone for the two-point conversion and Maple took a 14-7 lead to halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive struggle and it was Nordonia's defense that set up the next score.

Mustangs running back Devonte Ranson was stripped of the ball and the Knights Devonn McDonald fell on it at the Mustangs 42.

Nordonia then deployed its "jumbo" package -- an unusual formation with two tight ends and three running backs lined up to a quarterback in the shotgun. Ward found some success running from the quarterback position in the formation.

Ward pound in a 3-yard touchdown from the jumbo package with 5:14 left in the third quarter. Politi's extra point tied the game at 14.

For the rest of the game, both teams saw their offenses move the ball but not come close to scoring until the final minute of the game.

With Ranson playing at quarterback -- and aided by some Nordonia penalties -- Maple drove deep into Nordonia territory. Ranson ran in a 4-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds left on the clock.

Ransom led all rushers with 167 yards on 27 attempts.

A botched snap foiled the extra point, but Maple had a 20-14 lead.

Nordonia had enough time to try a Hail Mary pass, but Lewis never got the ball off as he was sacked and fumbled. Maple's Alex Jones picked up the ball and rumbled 49 yards for a touchdown as time expired.

Donnie Eatmon led the Knights with 90 yards on 16 carries.

Things don't get any easier for Nordonia as the Knights will travel to Twinsburg Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

"Twinsburg is a very good team," Huge said. "We're going to have to get back to work."

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113