by Michael Bohm
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO– On a night where few points were scored, each team’s respective offense had brief moments of flawless execution. The problem, however, was sustaining these drives the length of the field.
Halted by penalties and crucial turnovers, both Cleveland Heights and Shaw failed to even reach the opponent’s 20-yard line, save two key trips by the Heights Tigers. As a result, only one touchdown was scored, and that would be the big difference in this 9-0 outcome.
Shaw experienced some difficulty passing the ball this season leading up to Friday night’s game. Needless to say, they caught the Tiger defense off guard starting the game off with receiver Marvonte Ramsey hauling in Alejandro Washington’s throw on a slant and breaking away from the initial tackler for a tremendous gain.
But, Ramsey would eventually be stripped of the football, setting Cleveland Heights up on Shaw’s side of the field.
The Tigers, led by quarterback Josh Harris, approached scoring territory, but a diving interception by a Shaw defender set the Cardinals up with the ball inside their own five.
Shaw tailback Daeshawn Davis was a force for the duration of the game, but on the first play of this drive, he took the handoff and run toward the sideline and was dropped before having any sign of daylight, resulting in a safety. It would mark the only score of the first half.
The Tigers had plenty of opportunities to put more points on the board, but they were abruptly interrupted. Wideout Grayson Green brought down an intermediate pass but fumbled. Two more drives were also stalled after passes by both LeMaro Smith and Harris were picked.
The second half was also loaded with turnovers by both sides; another Harris interception, as well as two fumbles by Shaw’s Washington and one by Davis.
Washington’s first fumble occurred after Ramsey picked off Harris’ pass on the Cardinals’ own one.
This set up Heights on the 11, and Harris was able to power up the middle for the game’s lone touchdown to take the 9-0 lead.
From there, no team would even come close to scoring again, thanks to a combination of defense and disastrous penalties. From holding calls, to personal fouls and everything in between, no drive could even end up on the opposing end of the field.
The end result improved Cleveland Heights’ record to 3-6, while Shaw had fallen to 2-7.
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