The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Eagles rout Comets, gain SWC title
The Avon Eagles’ defense came to play on Senior Night, as they topped Amherst, 35-7, at Avon Stadium while picking up their second straight Southwestern Conference title.
“It felt good to come out here and win a conference championship,” Avon coach Mike Elder said. “It was nice to come out and be able to shut down one of the leading rushers in the area. Our defensive coaches took it as a challenge.”
The Eagles, who improved to 9-0 on the season and 8-0 in conference play, held the Comets’ offense to 101 yards of total offense, after coming off a Week 8 win over North Ridgeville, 19-14, where they allowed Rangers’ running back Shomar Williams to rush for 220 yards.
“The adjustments we made were just flying to the football,” Elder said. “It was energy, effort and it was making sure that we lined up against their double-tight formations. They
go heavy formations. They move people around and it’s all about fits. Last week when you watched the film we saw that we just missed a couple of fits here and there, and that kid made you pay.”
Amherst, which was held to 54 yards of total offense in the first half, dropped to 5-4 on the year and 4-4 in league play.
“Well, the first quarter we definitely had some mental mistakes,” Amherst coach Mike Passerrello said.
“I felt like we spotted them some points and we dug ourselves into a hole. They’re a good football team and you can’t put yourself in a hole and try to battle back.”
As for the Eagles on offense, they got things started on the opening drive, using just seven plays on 71 yards, as junior quarterback Ryan Maloy scrambled into the end zone on a 29-yard touchdown run.
The Comets’ the very next series went six plays until they fumbled on Avon’s 38-yard line, however, the Eagles would come up with the recovery.
Avon picked right up where it left off, this time taking just three plays to score, as Maloy found senior wide receiver Chris Mullins for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Amherst on its very next series went three and out, while Avon scored for the third time in as many possessions., Senior running back Tony Eberhardt scored on a 29-yard run, making it 21-0.
Eberhardt in the second quarter picked up his second touchdown on a oneyard run, giving the Eagles a 28-0 lead.
“Tonight, we went out with edge and attitude,” Eberhardt said. “Last week was a close game, but we didn’t play to the level we usually can. Tonight felt like a playoff game and they were playing for a playoff berth and so we had to step it up this week and, obviously, I felt like we did that.”
Amherst, which entered the game holding the final playoff spot in Division II, Region 6 after coming off of a big win over North Olmsted, 28-0, in Week 8 now controls their own destiny.
“We’re sitting here with five wins and we have a shot,” Passerrello said. “We have one more game and that’s what we can control right now. We are guaranteed Week 10 and that’s what we need to worry about.”
Avon, which entered Week 9 with the chance to lock up home-field advantage and the No. 1 seed in Division II, Region 6 of the playoffs has relied heavily this season on its depth.
“Our depth is hopefully going to help us down the road,” Elder said. “We lost our best player due to injury in Week 2 in Vlasi Pappas.
“very week I wake up and I’m just sick to my stomach on what that kid could do for this team as a safety and a receiver — he was our best player. We lost our inside linebacker at the Bedford scrimmage, who’s a senior. So, I think it speaks volumes and to still be 9-0 and lose your best player.”