BRUNSWICK, OHIO — All season long, teams across the state have had to battle adversity, especially during a pandemic.
To say Brunswick was facing adversity on Friday night is a major understatement.
The morning of their first round playoff game, the program learned that current assistant coach and former head coach Tom Fasko suddenly passed away.
“He has been a tremendous mentor, teacher, coach, motivator, and friend to all of us”, head coach Mark Pinzone said before the game. “Coach, we will be playing and coaching our hearts out for you tonight”.
The Blue Devils played hard and won this game for Coach Fasko, holding off a late rally to defeat Massillon Jackson 42-28.
After Brunswick scored first on a touchdown pass from Ethan Fritz to Kyle Scherette, Jackson started to build some momentum.
The Polar Bears responded with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Geissinger to Jackson Milkanin to tie the game at 7-7 heading into the second quarter.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
1Q | 0:15
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 7
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 7Polar Bears tie up the game with a 5-yard TD pass from Hunter Geissinger to Jackson Milkanin.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/4xpKOSoqjD
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 9, 2020
Momentum swung back into Brunswick’s favor early in the 2nd, as David Hamrick intercepted a trick play attempt.
Jackson attempts a trick play, but the pass is INTERCEPTED by Brunswick’s David Hamrick.
7-7 with 8:00 in the first half. @BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD pic.twitter.com/LdcXzvMdhn
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 9, 2020
Brunswick went on to score three touchdowns in the final three minutes of the half to take a commanding 28-7 halftime lead.
After Brandon Koenig powered in for a rushing touchdown, Fritz ran for a touchdown of his own and threw one to Caid Som.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
*Halftime*
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 28
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 7Brunswick scores three touchdowns in the final 3:09 of the half to take a commanding lead.
This TD pass from Fritz to Som came with 0:16 on the clock. pic.twitter.com/CXEhtFhtkj
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
It was a flurry of action, leaving Jackson shell shocked at halftime.
With 3:49 in the 3rd quarter, Brandon Koenig extended the Brunswick lead to 35-7 with his second touchdown carry of the night.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
3Q | 3:49
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 35
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 7Brandon Koenig barrels his way into the end zone for his 2nd TD carry of the night.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/CTgpGNJ0Be
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
With the running clock rule just two points away, Jackson started to mount a comeback.
Jayden Baker scored a pair of touchdowns early in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 35-21 with plenty of time to play.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
4Q | 8:20
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 35
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 21The Polar Bears are clawing back!
1-yard TD carry by Jayden Baker, his 2nd of the quarter.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/HCZDHhbCC1
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
However after picking up a pair of first downs, Andrew Haber broke free for a 56-yard touchdown to put this game out of reach.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
4Q | 4:42
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 42
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 21Brunswick shuts down the Jackson comeback attempt with a 56-yard TD by Andrew Haber.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/7bSlyp02Kt
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
Geissinger connected with DJ Harris for a deep touchdown late in the game for Jackson to once again trim the lead to two possessions.
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
4Q | 1:50
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 42
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 28What a grab! 😳
DJ Harris makes a great catch to give Jackson their third TD of the quarter.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/iaqBknXcHP
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
After forcing a quick three and out, Jackson had a puncher’s chance with about a minute left.
However, that comeback attempt was shut down by David Hamrick’s second interception of the game.
Ballgame! David Hamrick ices it with his 2nd interception of the game.
42-28 Brunswick with 1:08 in regulation. @BHSGoBigBlue @Davidhamrick11 pic.twitter.com/h4FJgVthOZ
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
Division I, Region 1 First Round 🏈
*Final Score*
(6) Brunswick Blue Devils – 42
(11) Jackson Polar Bears – 28Brunswick will advance to face Canton McKinley in the regional quarterfinals.@BHSGoBigBlue @PolarBearAD @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/ErRNbpb9eb
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020
There’s nothing you can do to prepare a team for the loss of a coach just hours before kickoff.
Pinzone kept his team focused, motivated, and prepared in a 42-28 playoff victory over Jackson.
“I’ve never seen people that are so young face the challenges you’ve faced” Coach Pinzone said as he addressed his team after the game.
“You guys have done this for Coach Fasko, you’ve done this for your community, and you’ve done this for your school”.
Brunswick (5-2) will look to win their fourth straight game next Friday when they travel to Canton to face McKinley (5-2).
Brunswick 7 21 7 7 42
Jackson 7 0 0 21 28
This article is dedicated to the memory of Tom Fasko.
Fasko was actively serving as an assistant coach for the Brunswick football program. He previously served as head coach, leading the Blue Devils to a state title berth in 1995.
He had also served as an assistant coach for Medina (where he also taught mathematics), Holy Name, and Buckeye.
While I never got to call Mr. Fasko “coach”, I had the pleasure of calling him my teacher for a year and a half.
My freshman year at Medina High School, Mr. Fasko was easily my favorite teacher. Not only was it his witty jokes and sports related extra credit, but it was his genuine compassion for others.
He cared about what he did, and cared about every student who walked through that door.
Whether you called him Coach Fasko, Mr. Fasko, or Tom, he will be missed by everyone who knew him. He was one of those genuinely nice people who positively affected the lives of many, including my own.
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