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AVON LAKE, OHIO- The Avon Lake Shoremen hosted the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs for a round one OHSAA playoff game tonight. It was a rematch of their week nine classic. This time, the result was in the favor of the Shoremen 44-28 as they converted 3 Olmsted Falls turnovers into 20 points which proved to be the difference.
Both teams were loaded with big play performers coming into this one, and despite the weather being brutal, several of them still had big games. The biggest and best game was had by Shoremen running back Konnor Riggs who finished with 249 yards on 30 carries with 3 impactful touchdowns.
His jersey actually ripped apart in the first half, and he played the rest of the game with an alternate jersey and number. The switch didn’t matter, as try as they might, the Bulldogs simply couldn’t stop him. On a night plagued by bad weather, having a reliable back such as Riggs is a game changer!
The Bulldogs did their best thanks to a couple of game changers of their own. All SWC running back Jack Spellacy had another solid effort. He rushed for 104 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown. He also excelled catching the ball tonight, hauling in two balls for 63 yards. Both were big catches setting up touchdowns.
In a night dominated by running, the quarterbacks made sure to do their part as well. Teddy Grendzysnki of Olmsted Falls threw for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 39 hard fought yards. Jack Mikolich of Avon Lake tossed for 86 yards, including several third and long completions to keep touchdown drives moving along. Mikolich has a bright future at the next level when he gets there, this young man has all the physical gifts to succeed.
The Shoremen defense combined to force three turnovers, converting them into 20 crucial points. They also held the Bulldogs to 15 points until very late in the game when things were closed to being decided. The defense has been clutch all season long in big moments and Avon Lake coach Matthew Kostelnik explained why.
“A lot of our success is due to general speed. Our kids play really hard and fast. We have a bend but don’t break mentality and know how to step up in the moment. Our kids do great in those moments and use their speed to their advantage.”
A 29-yard field goal by Harry Hebert gave the Shoremen a 3-0 lead 6 minutes into the game. They would get the ball back after the Bulldogs failed to convert a fourth and short on the Shoremen 20 yard line. They would then drive 80 yards in impressive time-consuming fashion to take a 10-0 lead early into the second quarter. The score came courtesy of a 32-yard Konnor Riggs touchdown run.
Already down 10-0 on the road, the last thing the Bulldogs needed was to turn the ball over, and that is exactly what they did on the ensuing kickoff. Mikolich and the Shoremen wasted no time taking advantage and it was only a few plays later that the mobile quarterback took it the endzone himself from 9 yards out. In the blink of an eye, the game went from being close to 17-0 in a matter of minutes.
The Bulldogs did everything they could to get back into it before half. Putting together two late second quarter touchdown drives before half. The first touchdown was set up by a 48-yard pitch and catch from Grendzysnki to Spellacy.
The fire plug back would to eventually score on a 18 yard touchdown run. The Spellacy touchdown run was a thing of beauty as he broke several tackles on his way into the endzone. The second score came on a Howard touchdown catch from 16 yards out.
The Shoremen were unfazed by the mini Bulldog rally as it was Konnor Riggs bursting through the line to rumble for a 49-yard touchdown in the midst of all of the scoring. It created a 24-15 game at halftime and that would be the closest the Bulldogs would make it.
The second half was all Shoremen, as they capitalized on two more Bulldog turnovers to take a 44-21 lead with just over 3 minutes left in the game. The Bulldogs managed to get a last second garbage time touchdown but the game was already decided.
The Bulldogs finished the season at 8-3 and have nothing to hang their heads about. Two of the there three losses came to the two best teams in the SWC, Avon Lake and Avon. Meanwhile, with the win, the Shoremen advance to round two of the playoffs next Friday night at a sight yet to be determined.
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