AVON LAKE – On a beautiful Friday night for football, the Avon Lake Shoremen welcomed in St. John the Baptist Cougars (NY). St. John traveled all the way from West Islip, New York on a 10-hour bus trip to match up with Avon Lake. Avon Lake was coming off 2 dominant wins over Strongsville (38-0) and Brecksville-Broadview Heights (35-0) the past 2 weeks. Meanwhile, St. John had yet to play a game this season heading into Friday night. The Cougars finished last season 9-1 in the regular season and lost in the first round of the playoffs. St. John looked to get their season off on the right foot in unfamiliar territory.
Avon Lake Striking Early
Avon Lake came to play early in the game on Friday night. They forced a quick 3-and-out to open the game. The Shoremen then took their first play from scrimmage for a 50-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Dzik to Isaac Richardson. Later in the quarter, Dzik was able to find Junior wide receiver Derek McCrum for a 23-yard touchdown. After the first quarter, Avon Lake held a 14-0 advantage. The offense would continue to pile on through the 2nd quarter with Junior running back Wade Nelson getting in on the action. To close the half, Nelson broke free for a 67-yard touchdown that completed a near perfect first half for Avon Lake. They took the lead into halftime up 31-0.
Shoremen’s Stifling Defense
Avon Lake is home to shoremen country, but on Friday night, they were interception country. In the first quarter, Seniors Pierden Pepe, and Keegan Rudduck each picked off St. John’s quarterback Michael Wheat. Late in the 1st quarter, Junior Hayden Blosser wanted in on the action picking off a pass that was surely going to be returned for a pick 6. However, the play was blown dead before the pass was made. No worries though, because on the very next play, Blosser intercepted St. John. This gave Avon Lake 3 INTs in the first quarter alone! Keegan Rudduck added another interception late in the third quarter giving him 2 on the night.
Through the first 2 games of the season, Avon Lake had not given up any points. Their defense, led by Senior Defensive End Avery Viancourt, has been a problem for offenses. Viancourt had himself a night picking up multiple TFLs as well as a sack and fumble recovery. It took all the way to the fourth quarter of Week 3 for Avon Lake to give up any points. St. John quarterback Michael Wheat scampered for a 35-yard touchdown run the put the Cougars on the board. St. John would go scoreless the rest of the game as Avon Lake comfortably won 38-7.
Week 4
Next week Avon Lake faces off against the Avon Eagles in what could be the game of the week. Avon is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Glenville 27-21 and look to bounce back against Avon Lake. Meanwhile, Avon Lake looks to keep their perfect record alive and hand Avon their 2nd loss of the season.
Key Players:
RB Wade Nelson (Avon Lake): 11 carries for 152 yards, 2 TDs
- All first half
QB Jeremy Dzik (Avon Lake): 6-12 passing for 124 yards, 2 TDS, 1 INT
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