The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Rugged defense keeps Avon undefeated
After a few uncharacteristic early blunders, No. 1 Avon stuck to its game plan, overpowering an extremely talented No. 8 St John’s Jesuit, 28-12, in a Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal on Nov. 3.
Avon will advance to face Medina Highland on Nov. 10 at a site to be determined.
“We knew they were a good team. We knew they had athletes. We all had to come together as one and we all had to be there for the tackles for us to win this game,” junior Mark Steinmetz said.
Known for their dominant defense, the No. 1-ranked team in Division II did not disappoint, coming away with huge defensive stops, including an early goal line stand. Avon put its own talent on display as it held the Titans (65) rushing attack to 100 yards while chasing around freshman quarterback Brady Lichtenberg all evening.
The Eagles (10-0) didn’t make it easy for themselves in the early going after a muffed pooch punt saw them turn the ball over in their own territory in the opening seconds of play. But in a foretelling sign, the Eagles buckled down, holding the Titans to a fourth-andgoal., where the defense held strong yet again.
“Their (St. John’s) size is something we haven’t seen all year. For us to come up big and not give up any points was a huge moment in that game,” Eagles coach Mike Elder said.
After their big stop, the Eagles turned it right back over on an interception. Avon quarterback Ryan Maloy finished 10-for-15 for 125 yards, also carrying the ball 11 times for 67 yards and one touchdown.
Maloy knew the early mistakes wouldn’t linger.
“On offense if we turn the ball over, we just shake it off. We know from here on out, every team we play from this point on is going to be a really good team. We can’t get down,” Maloy said.
The Titans struck first with 4:50 left as Ohio State commit, senior Dallas Gant found his way through on a jet sweep for a 15-yard TD. But the kick from Kyle Wasielewski was no
good, keeping the lead at 6-0.
Gant tallied nine carries for 44 yards, while snagging four catches for 14 yards.
Avon answered back with a one-yard run into the end zone from Maloy. Eagles kicker David Orlando made sure to put it straight through the uprights.
Just as the Eagles had made early mistakes in the first quarter, St. John’s Jesuit put themselves in a hole to start the third quarter as Joey Lance intercepted a pass near midfield.
Tony Eberhardt plowed his way in for the 17-yard touchdown run, giving the Eagles the 14-6 lead.
Eberhardt was the heartand-soul of the Eagles rushing attack, notching 19 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns. He notched another nine-yard touchdown run later in the quarter after Maloy set it up with a flashy 54-yard scamper down the sideline.
Eberhardt credited his offensive line for his big night.
“I couldn’t have done anything without my line ,” Eberhardts aid .“They played so good. It was all on them, honestly. I don’t put anything on me.”
As Eberhardt was pounding his way throughout the third quarter, Steinmetz & Co. was doing its part on the other side.
“We just have the coaches and they put us in the right spot. We all wanted to be good, so everyone is just trying their hardest, 100 percent every play,” Steinmetz said.
He finished with two sacks and 15 tackles on the evening.
As the fourth quarter began, the Eagles took a 21-6 lead and turned into groundand-pound affair. Avon handed the ball off to Eberhardt eight consecutive times, milking away the clock and securing their trip into next round as he punched it in for the three-yard touchdown.
“I mean we have been in this situation before. Going into it, I knew we had to put the ice on this game. We had to finish it. Every carry, I was looking for a way, looking to get a first down each time,” Eberhardt said.
Elder wasn’t surprised at Eberhardt’s showing.
“We got a good push, and he runs real hard with low shoulder pads and was able to grind it out. That drive right there exhibited a lot of toughness of our football team, specifically against a big physical defense like theirs that gave up seven last week to Toledo Central Catholic,” Elder said.