By: Robert Huff
PARMA, Ohio– Despite the fact that their cross-town rival Normandy Invaders came into this match with the better record, the Parma Redmen came across with a deeper passion to win. Both teams were coming off of losses, as Parma took an away game loss against Bay 21-0 while Normandy suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Valley Forge 41-8.
The Redmen struck first and often, though a penalty somewhat negated their hot start to the game. On the first play after the opening kickoff, Parma Senior Mark Post took a direct snap up the gut on a draw play, and rumbled ahead for 38 yards. The play was brought back by a holding penalty against the offense. The Redmen recovered, later finishing off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run by Parma Junior Jonah Bagby. Parma, who had been struggling all season long with the extra point kick, decided early to just go for two all night. This pushed the lead to 8-0 after converting their first attempt of the game.
The Redmen forced a three and out on The Invaders first drive of the game.
With the ball back in their possession, Parma junior Quarterback Justin Yates took to the air with a 34-yard strike to standout Wide Receiver Dylan Herb. But once again, in what seemed to be one of three recurring themes of the game, a penalty flag reared its ugly head to bring the play back. The Redmen had at least six separate big plays of thirty or more yards in the first quarter, three of which were brought back by penalties. In fact, Parma’s first two touchdowns of the game were also called back by a penalty.
Undeterred, The Redmen punched in their second score of the game on a 23-yard touchdown pass by Yates to senior wide receiver Michael Albertini. A few seconds later at the hand of trickery not quite seen since the days of David Blaine, Parma was now up 16-0. Moving forward to the second quarter of the game, the Redmen continued their blistering attack. Scoring next on a one-yard run by Post, Parma brought back out the trick plays to convert their next two-point attempt. With the score now 24-0, this is where the second recurring theme of the game began to show. Parma senior Mark Post owned the game on the ground. He had over 75 yards rushing in the first half. He reminded me of a poor man’s version of Jim Thorpe. Not only was he Parma’s star rusher in the contest, he caught passes out of the backfield. He was the kicker all night on kickoff attempts. He was part of the punt return team. Heck, I even recall him making tackles at linebacker during the Redmen’s first game of the season. He just does everything.
Picking up where the first half left off, Parma scored on their first drive of the second half once again with a one-yard touchdown gallop by Post. This is where the third, and final theme of the game began: Parma’s defense capitalizing on Normandy’s mistakes. The Invaders proceeded to throw three interceptions to the Redmen defense in the third quarter, two of them on consecutive drives. One of those interceptions also led to Parma’s final scoring drive of the matchup, now making the score 36-0. That scoring drive was once again ended with a one-yard touchdown scamper by Post, his third of the game.
“I can’t improve heart. They [Normandy] came out here flat. They didn’t come out here with any heart. As simple as that. They [Parma] didn’t come out here and play more physical than us. We weren’t out muscled, out nothing. We just didn’t come out here and play with any heart” said Normandy Head Coach Brian Darden after the game.
From here the defense by the Redmen put the game away, nabbing one more interception in the fourth quarter to go along with two sacks during the process to give Parma the victory 36-0 over Normandy.
After the victory, Parma Head Coach Bruce Saban said “We just got a win against a very good team, with a great player over there at quarterback in number 8 [Normandy senior Ryan Dengler]. Even though we looked good on both sides of the ball, I’m sure we’ll find something to work on and improve upon from the game tape.”
Up next for both teams, Parma will travel to face Elyria Catholic. While Normandy will host Holy Name. Both games will take place next Friday.
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