The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Ferguson’s late TD propels Comets to win
After a rain delay Sept. 13, Amherst and Midview hit the gridiron Sept. 14 to finish the game. After a 7-7 tie, Kyle Ferguson caught a TD pass to break the stalemate. Simon Hannig has the details.
The Midview Middies (21, 1-1 SWC) and the Amherst Comets (3-0, 2-0 SWC) resumed play Sept. 14 with 9:55 remaining in the first quarter, with the score tied at 0-0. The game was postponed due to storms in the area during the night of Sept. 13.
It was the Comets who were able to come away with a 21-7 victory over the Middies.
The teams were tied, 7-7, heading into the third quarter.
Midview tied the game up in the second quarter with an 11-yard touchdown pass by sophomore quarterback Ethan Surdock to junior wide receiver and defensive back Joseph Bratkovich.
The offense struggled to get going for the Middies during the second half. Midview coach DJ Shaw said the slow start the second half for the offense hurt later on.
“I think our defense played well enough to win,” Shaw said.
“It's just when you're offense goes three and out in the first four series of the second half, it puts a lot on your defense, your defense is on the field a lot of the game. I think we made enough plays and stops on defense to give our offense a chance and our offense just couldn't get going.”
Amherst got the ball back in the third quarter and did its best to break the stalemate.
Then senior wide receiver and defensive back Kyle Ferguson caught an 18yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback and defensive back Tyler Brezina to break the tie, which would ultimately help lead the Comets to victory.
The opportunity to play on the offense this season is paying off for Ferguson. AMHERST 21, MIDVIEW 7
On Sept. 14, that was another example of how everything is working for him offensively.
“Oh, it felt great,” Ferguson said on breaking the tie in the third quarter. “It's awesome playing offense this year. I wanted to, and I'm glad I finally get the opportunity to.”
Ferguson had eight catches for 90 yards with one touchdown.
Comets head coach Mike Passerrello liked what he saw from Ferguson, and believes he will be a key player throughout the rest of the season.
“Kyle Ferguson made some really nice plays for us on offense,” Passerrello said.”He has been a very reliable wide receiver that is just doing a great job for us, and we're really counting on him.”
Ferguson wasn't the only player for the Comets who had a big day. Sophomore running back and defensive back Torre Weatherspoon also played a part into the Comets victory.
Amherst was aggressive early on offense. It was running the ball, and finding the open receivers on their second drive of the game.
The Comets' defense would come up huge during the second quarter to catalyze a big offensive series. Midview was going for it on fourth down, however it was Amherst's defense that would prevail.
The stop on fourth down by the Comets would help lead to the first scoring play of the game.
To start the drive, senior running back and linebacker Aidan Johnson had a 19-yard run. Johnson would finish with nine carries, for 58 rushing yards.
Later in the same drive, the Comets were able to score on a four-yard touchdown run by Weatherspoon to make it, 7-0.
That was one of two touchdowns for Weatherspoon.
His second touchdown was on a 1-yard run during the fourth quarter, which secured their lead — and the victory.
Everything was clicking for the Comets, especially their running game against Midview.
Johnson and Weatherspoon had big-time runs to help lead their team to victory. Weatherspoon credited his offensive line.
“We're really in sync right now,” Weatherspoon said. “But like I said, we have to clean up a few things, but other than that, our line is doing a great job. Our wide receivers are catching the ball, making tough catches. We're doing really good.”
Weatherspoon would finish with 19 carries, for 54 rushing yards, along with two touchdowns.
Passerrello believes the defense has played well through three weeks, which has helped the offense get into a rhythm.
He believes it has been a team effort from the coaches and players are doing a great job defensively.
Up next, Amherst will be at North Olmsted on Sept. 20, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Midview will take on Lakewood at home on Sept. 20, with a 7 p.m. kickoff time.