The Avon Lake Shoremen stunned the Avon Eagles 27-26, ending their perfect season in a rivalry game that went down to the wire.
Avon Lake jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, as senior quarterback Mark Pappas found Jason Sullivan for a 9-yard passing touchdown.
The Eagles answered back quickly, as Matt Kelly connected with Mitch Cooper on a 44-yard touchdown pass, but a missed PAT kept the Shoremen in front 7-6.
The Eagles had a chance for a 40-yard field goal early in the second, but the kick was blocked – which would prove to be another huge play for the Shoremen defense.
@AvonLakeSports blocks the 40 yard fg attempt to stay ahead 7-6
9:20 left in 2nd qtr pic.twitter.com/R5wAb20IMv
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 5, 2016
Avon took control of the game, scoring 17 unanswered points to lead 23-7 with just under 11 minutes to play in the third quarter.
Both touchdowns came courtesy of running back Mason McLemore.
7 yard td run for McLemore gives @avoneagles a 13-7 lead with 3:16 left in first half. pic.twitter.com/46hwaGcvmB
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 5, 2016
The comeback began midway through the third, when Pappas found Denny Burns for a 9-yard passing touchdown to make it a 10-point game.
Pappas to Burns 9 yard TD for @AvonLakeSports – don't get the 2 – trail @avoneagles 23-13 6:55 3rd Q @NEOSportsInside @AM930WEOL @FOX8FNTD pic.twitter.com/4c2Y1rhsxd
— Matt Loede (@MattLoede) November 5, 2016
What followed from that point forward was a set of circumstances not many could have predicted.
Avon fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, setting up the Shoremen at the Eagles’ 34-yard line.
Pappas struck quickly, finding star receiver Carson Toy for a 34-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to three with 6:38 left in the third.
The Eagles were driving near the Avon Lake 35-yard line when Kelly, the starting quarterback exited the game due to injury.
Sophomore Ryan Maloy entered the game and led the Eagles into field goal range, setting up Cooper for a 43-yarder to make it 26-20, with more than 15 minutes of regulation remaining.
Avon Lake’s offense continued to roll, as Tyler Nelson punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown to give the Shoremen a 27-26 lead heading into the fourth.
@AvonLakeSports takes the lead
Tyler Nelson 2 yard rushing td makes it 27-26 with 1:11 left in 3rd qtr pic.twitter.com/ec1VXHVwsq
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 5, 2016
Avon had a chance to take the lead with 6:45 to play, but rather than kick what would have been a 37-yarder, the Eagles opted to go for it on 4th and short, and were stood up at the line of scrimmage by the Shoremen defense.
HUGE STOP for @AvonLakeSports on 4th and inches. Shoremen take over up by 1. 6:45 remaining pic.twitter.com/yhKG31uZoX
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 5, 2016
The Eagles got the ball back with 4:30 to play and would start at their own 30, marching methodically all the way into the red zone.
Avon seemingly had the game where they wanted it with 1:03 remaining and the ball at the Shoremen 9-yard line.
Rather than run the clock all the way down and kick a 25-yard field goal, Avon went for the knockout punch on 2nd and 8, but Maloy threw an interception in the end zone, hauled in by safety Andrew Butrey, which would seal the Shoremen victory.
INTERCEPTION @AvonLakeSports Shoremen will eliminate Avon! pic.twitter.com/SXqx5TQaNr
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 5, 2016
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