HS Football: St. Ignatius Overcomes Early Deficit To Defeat Euclid 30-20

EUCLID, OHIO — After a shaky start to the season, Ignatius looks to be hitting their stride at the right time.

After losing three straight games to end their regular season, the Wildcats have won back-to-back playoff games including a 30-20 win over Euclid Friday night.

Euclid capitalized on an Ignatius fumble halfway through the first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead on a catch-and-run by Jayvon Colvin.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

1Q | 5:09
(4) Euclid Panthers – 7
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 0

Jayvon Colvin takes a short completion and runs it to the house, as Euclid takes an early lead.@EUCPanthers @SIHSSports @BrownsYouthFB @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/IfbpIJh1vi

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 16, 2020

Marty Lenehan then fueled Ignatius to 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, a run in which he ran for a pair of touchdowns.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

2Q | 5:04
(4) Euclid Panthers – 7
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 17

Marty Lenehan is in for his 2nd TD of the night, extending the Ignatius lead to double digits.@EUCPanthers @SIHSSports @BrownsYouthFB @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/H82MJI1mbw

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 17, 2020

Then with just 0:27 in the first half, Kentucky commit Armond Scott juggled his way to a catch of the year nominee, a 74-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 17-14.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

2Q | 0:27
(4) Euclid Panthers – 14
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 17

CATCH OF THE YEAR NOMINEE!

Armond Scott makes an unbelievable juggling grab that goes for a TD!

🎥 ⬇️ @EUCPanthers @SIHSSports @BrownsYouthFB @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/Bf3bhULdM6

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 17, 2020

After that absurd touchdown, Euclid had momentum coming out of the break.

Ignatius quickly took that momentum back.

Chris Snyder returned an interception for a touchdown on the second play of the half that went for a big Ignatius touchdown.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

3Q | 11:48
(4) Euclid Panthers – 14
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 24

PICK 6! Chris Snyder swings momentum back into the Wildcat’s favor.@EUCPanthers @SIHSSports @BrownsYouthFB @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/e3NjqB2oQD

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 17, 2020

Despite not scoring an offensive touchdown in the second half, Ignatius was able to close the game out with a pair of field goals from Declan Mangan and stellar play on the defensive side.

Euclid attempted to mount a late comeback, but it just fell short.

Malachi Davis found Armond Scott on fourth down for their second touchdown connection of the night to cut the deficit to 30-20.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

4Q | 1:53
(4) Euclid Panthers – 20
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 30

Malachi Davis connects with Armond Scott for the Euclid TD.

Critical 2-pt conversion intercepted.@EUCPanthers @SIHSSports @BrownsYouthFB @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/81YDg1jWax

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 17, 2020

However a critical two point conversion was intercepted, and that essentially sealed the ballgame.

Division I, Region 1 Quarterfinals 🏈

*Final Score*
(4) Euclid Panthers – 20
(5) St. Ignatius Wildcats – 30

Ignatius gets back to .500 and will host (8) Medina next Friday in the regional semifinals! pic.twitter.com/nRJQzaqaPD

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 17, 2020

Per usual, Marty Lenehan was the driving force behind another big Ignatius playoff victory.

The junior running back carried the ball a career-high 40 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Cheers erupted from the Ignatius stands at Euclid Community Stadium when it was announced that Medina stunned top seeded St. Edward.

5th-seeded St. Ignatius (3-3) will take their high powered running attack back home to Byers Field, as they host 8th-seeded Medina (5-3).