HS Football: Chardon Overpowers Riverside 35-7 In A Battle Of Undefeated Teams

PAINESVILLE, OHIO — Earlier in the week, the Associated Press ranked Chardon as the number one team in Ohio for Division III football.

Some teams might let the expectations of being THE team in the state get to them.

Chardon is not one of those teams.

Despite the lopsided final score, the first half of this game was played very evenly, with both teams fighting to a scoreless tie through the first quarter.

The first score of the game came with 6:34 remaining in the opening half, when James Pettyjohn scored his first of three touchdowns after a sustained drive of nearly five minutes.

Week 4 Friday Featured Game 🏈

2Q | 6:34
#15 Chardon Hilltoppers – 7
#18 Riverside Beavers – 0

A long Chardon drive ends in a 3-yard TD carry by James Pettyjohn.

🎥 ⬇️ @toppernation @rhsbeavers @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB @MikeRizzo22 pic.twitter.com/mA5Tcymf4G

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 18, 2020

Riverside had an opportunity to score before halftime, but the tally remained 7-0 after a missed field goal as time expired. Smothering coverage by Brady Toth was a big factor in keeping the Beavers off of the board.

Week 4 Friday Featured Game 🏈

*Halftime*
#15 Chardon Hilltoppers – 7
#18 Riverside Beavers – 0

Riverside misses a field goal to end the half after this 3rd down pass breakup by Brady Toth.@toppernation @rhsbeavers @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB @MikeRizzo22 pic.twitter.com/B2D2C7BlS0

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 18, 2020

Holding onto a slim lead heading into the second half, Chardon simply dominated both sides of the ball going forward.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, Drew Fetchik found Blake Barker for a 69-yard TD pass to give Chardon a 14-0 lead.

Week 4 Friday Featured Game 🏈

3Q | 11:02
#15 Chardon Hilltoppers – 14
#18 Riverside Beavers – 0

Touchdown Toppers! Blake Barker goes 69 yards to the house on this catch and run. 🎥 ⬇️ @toppernation @rhsbeavers @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB @MikeRizzo22 pic.twitter.com/kUNXqKibWd

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 19, 2020

It continued to be a nearly flawless quarter for Chardon, as a pair of interceptions by Trey Liebhardt and Nathan Sulka really deflated the Riverside offense.

And here’s ANOTHER interception by Chardon here in the 3rd. This time, it’s Nathan Sulka.@toppernation pic.twitter.com/T3VaamPgHk

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 19, 2020

Chardon took advantage of the stellar play of the defense with touchdown carries by Pettyjohn and Fetchik to extend the lead to 28-0 heading into the fourth.

Week 4 Friday Featured Game 🏈

3Q | 1:12
#15 Chardon Hilltoppers – 28
#18 Riverside Beavers – 0

Chardon came into tonight as the top ranked team in the state for D-3.

They sure look the part tonight.

12-yard carry by Drew Fetchik extends the lead.@toppernation @rhsbeavers pic.twitter.com/Ujy5Bwb3gV

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 19, 2020

Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the final quarter to make the final score 35-7, with the running clock rule going into effect for a portion of the frame.

Week 4 Friday Featured Game 🏈

4Q | 7:08
#15 Chardon Hilltoppers – 35
#18 Riverside Beavers – 0

3-yard TD carry by Sean Carr puts the running clock rule in effect.@toppernation @rhsbeavers @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB @MikeRizzo22 pic.twitter.com/gtg2yinBQV

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/neohssports/status/130712315688

The Hilltoppers got the job done on both sides of the ball, grabbing three interceptions and outgaining Riverside 400-245.

They only threw six passes in the game, but that’s all it took to earn a dominant victory.

It could be a special season for Chardon (4-0), as they are seeking that elusive state title. They’ll look to keep the train rolling when they host Mayfield (1-0) next Friday.

Riverside (3-1) will have a solid opportunity to bounce back next Friday, as they hit the road to face Madison (1-3).

Box Score

(4-0) Chardon 0 7 21 7 35

(3-1) Riverside 0 0 0 7 7

Top Performers

Chardon

Passing: Drew Fetchik (2-6, 105 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Rushing: James Pettyjohn (14 Carries, 106 Yards, 2 TD)

Receiving: Blake Barker (1 Reception, 69 Yards, 1 TD)

Riverside

Passing: Dom Lulow (17-30, 200 Yards, 1 TD, 3 INT)

Rushing: Cayman Locher (8 Carries, 47 Yards)

Receiving: Jamir Francis (5 Receptions, 65 Yards)