The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Highland’s speed contains North Olmsted offense
North Olmsted’s offense was predicated on its playmakers making plays in the open field.
Against second seed and undefeated Highland, the Hornets defense lived up to the hype, as they ended the seventh-seeded Eagles’ season, 49-7.
“The biggest thing that we have been able to do all year is to make the first guy miss. Whether it was Jared (Kelley), Xavier Balson, (Matthew) Chalkwater or Logan Dangerfield, we have been able to make guys miss and make big plays all year. In this game, if you make the first guy miss, there was a second or a third guy there within a step,” said North Olmsted coach Tim Brediger.
North Olmsted’s offense averaged over 40 points per game coming into the matchup. However, the Hornets’ defense allowed a total of 57 points on the season with five shutouts.
According to Brediger, the speed stood out for Highland’s defense, which was reminiscent to Elyria Catholic’s defense when North Olmsted lost to the Panthers, 42-21, in the regular season.
“There is a difference with the speed that everybody has in the playoffs. Most teams we played, three or four kids are fast. (Speed was on Highland’s) whole defense,” he said.
The defensive line with four linemen controlled the trenches, which forced Balson to escape the pocket on numerous occasions. Their coverage complemented the pass rush with tight bumpand-run, forcing Balson to hold on to the football and allowing their front to get after him.
According to Brediger, Highland’s safeties played toward closer to the box, which made gaps in the defense smaller for Balson to connect with his receivers.
Kelley was held to 69 total yards of offense and their running game was held to 23 yards on the night.
Highland ran for 477 yards on the ground. Hornets running back Lukas Stiles scored the first two touchdowns to make the score, 14-0, at the end of the first quarter and led, 21-0, in the second quarter.
North Olmsted picked up some steam before halftime with a 23-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Collin Willard to make it a two-possession game.
The Hornets’ defense swarmed the Eagles’ again in the second half, which led to two more touchdown runs for Stiles. Continuously pounding the ball, which took a toll on the North Olmsted’s defense.
“Our hope (in the second half) was to get a drive going. Then, they just stuffed us. We had to punt and that was really it. They scored four plays later,” said Brediger.
Coaching for over 20 years, Brediger witnessed the senior class grow up to become his players to coach and is thankful for the opportunity to do so.
“When you start to know them as a coach when they are in third or fourth grade. It is pretty special to see these kids grow up and jell. These kids chose here instead of somewhere else to play. It makes a big difference knowing that you can keep (scholarship-talent) home and they play together.”