Welcome to week 2 of the High School football season in the Mahoning Valley. Tonight, was a battle of 0-1 teams: the Akron Buchtel Griffins and the Warren Harding Raiders. Buchtel was coming off a loss to North Canton Hoover 35-21, while the Raiders lost their season opener on the road to Medina 33-10.
A quick three and out by Akron Buchtel on the game’s opening possession led to a punt. Warren Harding marched down the field on the back of their run game. Harding chose 2 pass plays inside the Buchtel 20-yard line. An interesting decision considering how well the running game was working. The Buchtel Griffin defense held, and Harding missed a 36-yard field goal.
The Raider running game was dominant in the opening quarter. The early game running attack struck paydirt as running back Ryan Powell slammed in from 17 yards out for Harding giving them the early lead. The extra point was no good: 6-0 Harding with 4:15 left in the 1st quarter and that’s how the quarter would end.
Photo by Andrew Ryan
In the closing moments of the first quarter and beginning of the second, Akron Buchtel put together a nice drive mixing the run game with quick hitting slant and out routes. Buchtel would stall and on 4th and 11 from the Harding 31, Akron Buchtel chose to kick a 48-yard field goal that fell short. The ensuing drive saw the Raiders cover 80 yards and take up a large portion of the 2nd quarter. The drive was capped off when Harding QB Dalys Jett punched it in from 2 yards out. Warren then went for 2 and succeeded giving Harding 14-0 advantage.
After an excellent kick return on the following possession for Buchtel, they set up shop at their own 40. The Griffins would again stall inside the Harding 40. The drive would end abruptly as Buchtel quarterback Travante Fletcher was picked off by Ryan Powell. The half would end with Buchtel being shut out 14-0.
Photo by Andrew Ryan
Midway through the 3rd quarter, Akron Buchtel forced a Warren Harding fumble in Raider territory. But the Griffins again having trouble moving the ball with any consistency promptly went 3 and out. The 3rd quarter ended the same way it began, with Harding leading 14-0.
The Buchtel Griffins finally got on the board with 4:49 left in the 4th quarter. Buchtel running back Justin Hill scored from 15 yards out, drawing Akron closer at 14-7. Unfortunately for the Griffins, that was it for the scoring.
Buchtel had plenty of opportunities, as did Harding, but neither team could finish drives consistently. Each team bogged down all night after promising starts to drives. Turnovers, missed opportunities, and poor execution doomed the Griffins. Similar issues prevented this game from being a blowout in favor of Warren Harding. The Raiders also lost starting quarterback Dalys Jett mid-way through the 3rd quarter, which severely handicapped the Warren attack.
Photo by Andrew Ryan
This game should be somewhat alarming for both sides. The Buchtel offense left a lot to be desired and there is certainly work to be done on that side of the ball. Even average execution from the Griffin offense gives them the win in this game. For Harding, it’s concerning they couldn’t put this game away early. The Raider defense gave up 7 points, the running game looked unstoppable at times, but Harding could manage only a narrow victory. It’s only week 2, but things won’t be getting any easier for either squad.
Each team has a difficult schedule ahead and both have work to do to have a chance to break into the OHSAA Playoffs.
Warren improves to 1-1 while Akron falls to 0-2. Harding will host the 2-0 Hudson Explorers next week at home, while Akron Buchtel will travel to Mentor Lake Catholic.
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