Bombers veer away from West Holmes

A high-scoring shootout was the expectation when Kenston, hosting a playoff game for the first time in school history, entertained West Holmes in a Division III regional quarterfinal Nov. 2.

That’s exactly what fans that filled Bomber Stadium got, and the home team’s ability to shake off mistakes and keep playing in the back-and-forth affair helped it outlast the visiting Knights in a 48-34 victory. Kenston advances to play Medina Buckeye at a location to be named in a regional semifinal Nov. 9.

Kenston quarterback Jon Tomcufcik, who had thrown just one interception all season, threw his second of the game in the West Holmes end zone with 5:10 to play in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 34-34.

But senior defensive back Dorion Talley came to the rescue, picking off a pass on the next play to give the ball back to the Bombers after a return to the Knights’ 32yard line.

Junior running back Jack Porter scored on a 14-yard run five plays later, giving Kenston a 41-34 lead with 2:59 left on the clock. Then came the play before the play that sealed the deal.

Kenston junior wide receiver Tyler Mintz picked off a deep pass in Bomber territory, and brought it back to the West Holmes 42. Two plays later, Porter ran through a worn-out Knight defense for a 38-yard touchdown run and 48-34 lead with just 1:28 left. Senior linebacker Matt Iklodi made it three intereceptions in three possessions, and it was kneel-down time for the Bombers.

“Relax, it’s OK,” Kenston coach Jeff Grubich said his message to his team was after the rare interception left things in doubt with just minutes left in the game. “Play the next play. We always say the most important play is the next one. They proved that they really take that coaching, and they responded. I’m proud of them, man.”

That type of resiliency was critical for the Bombers all night, because West Holmes kept coming at them. A 31-yard pass from Tomcufcik (12 of 18 for 201 yards passing, two TDs, two INTs) to Jay Middleton, and