HS Football: Keystone Tops Firelands 40-14 to Take Home LC8 Conference Title

By Asa Haslage

OBERLIN, OHIO – Entering this week 5 matchup, it was the game who would decide the LC8, 4-0 Keystone Wildcats vs 4-0 Firelands Falcons.

The Falcons coming into this game only giving up field goal for the entire season, out scoring their opponents 132-3.

Keystone struck on their first drive, scoring the only touchdown against Firelands all season, it was a Ryne Shackelford touchdown reception making the score 6-0.

Firelands then came back with a huge return from Cam Newark setting up the Falcons at the 15-yard line.

On their first play, the Falcons struck right back,on a Alex Angle touchdown reception making the score 7-6 Falcons with 5:56 left in the first quarter.

One thing that’s very impressive is Wildcats sophomore quarterback Konnor Rodick’s ability to read a defense, Rodick does not give off the impression that he’s a sophomore.

Almost immediately after the start of the second quarter, it was Rodick to his favorite target Shackelford, making the score 13-7 Keystone after the Evan Maiden PAT.

After his TD reception, Shackelford exited the game with an injury, so Keystone started feeding the ball to Gideon Lampron heavily.

It paid off for the Wildcats, as it was Lampron scoring on a wheel route from the backfield, Keystone was pouring it on heavy now with the score being 21-7 Wildcats leading.

Firelands seemed to pick up some momentum, forcing a fumble with 3:12 left in the half, taking over from Keystone’s 35-yard line.

Firelands then scored on a Caden Bomback TD reception, after the Angle PAT, the Wildcats lead was cut to 21-14.

Shackelford re entered the game after the Falcon touchdown, and the amazing chemistry between him and Rodick continued to show on the field.

Driving down the field it was once again a Rodick-Shackelford connection for another TD, we could definitely tell these 2 young men have been playing since they were 5 years old. The score with 1:12 left in the half was Keystone leading 27-14.

Keystone exploded out of the second half on a 62-yard Gideon Lampron run, extending their lead on Firelands 33-14.

Keystone surprised a lot of people tonight with how well they played against this Firelands team. Heading towards the end of the third quarter, Rodick distributing the ball very well to his other offensive teammates Lampron and Christian Pataky.

The Wildcats were taking their time with their 3rd quarter drive. Keystone did end up giving the ball back to Firelands, only to end up intercepting the pass, Deghan Ridga was the Wildcat on the interception.

Keystone was knocking on the door to the red zone with 9:46 left in the 4th. Firelands did stop the Wildcats and took back possession to try and get themselves back in the game.

Keystone’s defense once again came up with an interception, this time Shackelford, as it seemed that took out all the momentum Firelands had left.

Lampron put the nail in the coffin on a 30-yard run, putting him at 246 yards for the night. Top that with a touchdown with 1:30 left in the game.

Keystone would end up winning the game and their second consecutive conference title 40-14.

Rodick tonight was 10/16 250 yards with passing with 4 TDs. Gideon Lampron rushed for 246 yards and Shackelford had 138 yards receiving.