Cleveland Heights loses Nail Biter to Paramus Catholic 43-41

Photo by Jayson Richardson

Cleveland Hts. – What a game!!! In a highly anticipated cross state matchup, the Paramus Catholic Paladins outlasted the Cleveland Heights Tigers 43-41. In a game that featured just about everything a football game can have, the final score was indicative of just how evenly matched these teams were.

The first quarter Heights started slow, as star running back Marquise Davis fumbled twice in the first quarter. Though the Tigers didn’t lose the fumbles, the Tigers were struggling to move the ball in the first. Paramus Catholic capitalized and got a touchdown run from Xavier Williams. But the Tigers woke up. After settling down, the Tigers started the 2^nd quarter already in the Red Zone and John Gordon Jr. got an assist from his teammates as he was carried and pushed into the end zone. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 7-6. Following a defensive stop, the Tigers got the ball again and this time QB Amaar Lakes connected with Henry Perrymond on a touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was successful this time for Gordon Jr. putting the Tigers ahead 14-7. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Paramus Catholic sophomore RB Achylles DuPont ran 75 yard for a tying TD. And the track met began. The second quarter ended with Cleveland Hts. scoring on another touchdown pass from Lakes, this time to Emere Atkins as the Tigers went to the half up 22-14.

To start the 3^rd quarter, the Paladins of Paramus Catholic got a touchdown pass from their QB, Crew Colon as he connected with Jordan Moreta on a long touchdown pass. After the two-point conversion was successful, the game was tied at 22. The Tigers, who have a dominant run game, were finding success in the passing game as the Paladins were containing the ground game for the most part. That started to change in the second half because of the two first half touchdowns in the air, Paramus Catholic had to honor the passing game of Heights. In turn, that left holes for Jr. superstar Marquise Davis to run through, and he did just that scoring on a 22-yard run in the 3^rd quarter. The momentum started to shift, and the crowd started feeling the Tigers start to bring it home. It got especially pumped after the Davis td, John Gordon Jr. intercepted the ball and ran 90 yards for a score to put Cleveland Hts. up 35-22 as the 3^rd quarter came to an end.

In what was becoming apparent, Paramus Catholic would not give up as Colon threw his second TD of the game, this time to Kenyon Massey to open the 4^th quarter. With the score now 35-29, Heights leading, Paramus Catholic recovered an onside kick that changed things. Knowing they needed a spark; the Paladins took a chance, and it paid off as Heights wasn’t ready for the onside kick. Achylles DuPont started to really give Heights issues as he rushed for his second TD and put Paramus Catholic up 36-35.

With momentum clearly shifted, and the Tigers reeling and miscommunicating, Paramus got the ball back and DuPont scored again from 55 yards out putting Paramus Catholic up 43-35 with 7:50 left. Plenty of time for the Tigers to come back and regain some momentum. Which is exactly what happened as Davis scored for the Tigers on a 71-yard run. A failed 2-point conversion had the Tigers down by two, and after Paramus Catholic couldn’t move the ball, Heights had a chance to win the game. But with 2:22 left, Lakes threw a costly interception and Paramus Catholic was able to run out the clock  and leave Ohio winners 43-41 over Cleveland Heights.

While the outcome wasn’t what Heights wanted in the end, this was the kind of game to test the Tigers. They will have plenty to fix this season and all of their goals are still in front of them. As for Paramus Catholic, I spoke to a coach, and they are very high on their chances this season as well. And very high on DuPont who is only a sophomore. His coach told me verbatim, “He’s getting 2,000 yards. Book it” After watching him play, I don’t doubt it.

 

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