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CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio – The Kenston Bombers used a quick start to put themselves in the driver’s seat for the rest of the Western Reserve Conference schedule and remain undefeated on Friday night. They scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff in a 42-14 win over the Riverside Beavers at Bomber Stadium.
Both Riverside and Kenston were undefeated in conference play heading into Friday’s game. Kenston improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the WRC with three games to go.
“I’m happy for our kids and I though they executed pretty well tonight,” said Kenston head coach Jeff Grubich. “Once again, we were sloppy in some capacities (penalties and big plays). As we go up against tough teams, that stuff can get you beat. We have to go back and fix those things going forward. The chase is on for the rest of the season, going each week at a time.”
Jay Middleton took the opening kickoff 88 yards to the house as Kenston opened a 7-0 lead just seconds into the contest.
“That was a first for me, here at Kenston. That’s quite a way to get the kids going and excited,” added Grubich.
On their next drive, Kenston could not convert a fourth down in the red zone. Riverside took over backed up to their own end zone. On the first play, Riverside lost the ball on a fumble and Matt Iklodi fell on it.
Three plays later, Jack Porter scored from two yards out as the Bombers led 14-0 with 5:13 left in the first quarter.
Riverside responded with a 12 play, 51 yard drive that trimmed the lead in half. The Beavers ran the final five minutes of the first quarter down before scoring thirty seconds into the second quarter. Andrew Keller found paydirt from two yards out as they cut the lead to 14-7.
Kenston followed it up with a promising drive that ended abruptly. Porter broke free down the right sideline on a 35-yard run to the endzone, but he fumbled the ball before the goal line. The ball rolled out of the back of the endzone for a touchback as Riverside caught a break.
The Beavers went three and out before Porter redeemed himself on a 56-yard TD run for the Bombers. His second score of the night put Kenston up 21-7.
Kenston made full use of their final drive of the first half as they capped a 13 play, 70-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass from Jon Tomcufcik to Tyler Mintz. The Bombers led 28-7 at the intermission.
Riverside opened the second half with a huge drive that kept the Beavers in the game. Joe Robinson scored from one yard out as Riverside pulled within 28-14 with 9:57 left in the 3rd quarter.
Two plays later, Tomcufcik connected with Bransen Stanley on a 73-yard catch and run for a Bombers score. Kenston added a 16-yard TD screen pass from Tomcufcik to Mintz with five minutes left in the third quarter. Kenston went on to win 42-14 over the Beavers.
Kenston totaled 465 yards of offense, with a balanced attack. They had 255 yards through the air and 210 on the ground. Tomcufcik was nearly perfect as he completed 21 of 23 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Porter totaled 173 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns. Stanley was the leading receiver with 173 yards on 11 catches and one score.
The Bombers are 7-0 and 4-0 heading into a week eight matchup at Madison. Riverside will take a 5-2 record (3-1) back to Painesville with Willoughby South coming next Friday.
Player of the Game: Jon Tomcufcik, Kenston – 21/23, 255 yards passing, three touchdowns, 13 rushing yards
Story by Tyler Stotsky
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