Week 6 has a little bit of everything going on

Avon and Firelands both remained undeafeated, while Columbia got back to its winning ways in a tight game with Lutheran West. Lorain improved to 5-1 in its first Lake Erie League matchup.

After a close call against Fairview last week, Firelands removed all doubt in Week 6, crushing Brookside, 47-0, in a Patriot Athletic Conference matchup on Sept. 29.

The Falcons (6-0, 3-0) racked up 236 yards rushing to go along with 166 passing yards. After grabbing a 34-point lead five minutes into the third quarter, the high-powered offense triggered a running clock for the third time this season.

Despite the lopsided score, Falcons coach Ryan O’Rourke encouraged his kids to continue to be humble.

“It’s always special. I always tell the kids don’t take

it for granted that you’re 6-0 and that you have won a football game tonight,” O’Rourke said. “Obviously, anytime you can win a conference game it is a big deal. You just have to appreciate it.”

The Falcons were led by senior quarterback Michael Bansek who, after starting out sluggish, torched the Brookside defense in short time, as he went 9-of-14 for 166 yards and four touchdowns. Bansek connected with three different receivers, including a pair of 43 and 44 yard touchdown passes to Nick Denney and a five yard touchdown to both Garrett Tester and Richard Maggard.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Bansek said. “Nick is doing great and we are using Richard Maggard alot more. The (offensive) line is really involved up front, starting it all.”

Denney, a senior, unleashed his speed midway through the first quarter with a beautiful 59-yard touchdown run, weaving in and around Brookside defenders as his offensive line leveled its opponents, allowing him to take it all the way home for the score.

“Oh yeah, the line on that play, they never gave up. They just followed me all the way down the field and they never gave up,” Denney said. “They probably blocked three guys each honestly on that one.”

Denney did a little bit of everything, tallying nine carries for 114 yards and five catches for 120 yards with 3 total touchdowns.

It was another tough night for Brookside, as the Cardinals again struggled with a stagnant offense. Despite their inability to drive down the field, the Cardinals (1-5, 0-2) defense gave an impressive showing early on, holding Firelands to 14 points in the second quarter, including a turnover late in the second.

However, the Cardinals could not capitalize.

“It’s a crush when you get the turnover and you’re feeling good and then it’s a three-and-out,” Brookside coach Paul Ferguson said. “It’s something we have to approach as a staff and we have to have the right plays. Maybe throw something different at them.”