Iammarino sets wins record at Chagrin Falls

He waited 25 years to set the record. What was one more night? After resuming the completion of the Sept. 13 game against Woodridge leading, 9-0, at half, Chagrin Falls football coach Mark Iammarino had to coach his team to victory for 24 more minutes before eclipsing John Piai’s all-time school record.

The last few minutes were not easy as his team hung on for a 9-7 victory Sept. 14.

Iammarino, whose team was at full strength for the first time all year, praised the team for being ready to play when the game was restarted.

“Our defense played well,” he said. “We did some things that were encouraging.

On becoming the school’s all-time winningest coach, he added: “It feels great for the kids. As a team they are so close and try so hard. I am happy for them.”

After both teams failed to score in the first quarter, Chagrin Falls opened the scoring on a 44-yard run by junior running back Xavier Perez. The extra point was blocked. A 31-yard field goal by senior Lucas Gaizutis at the end of the second quarter put the Tigers up, 9-0, heading into the half. Between exchanging punts and a turnover by Chagrin Falls neither team could get on the board in the third stanza. A Woodridge drive that started in the third, saw them move 55 yards in 13 plays and looking ready to get on the board. However, Perez cut in front of the receiver for a diving interception with a little under 11 minutes left in regulation.

“It feels great for the kids. As a team they are so close and try so hard. I am happy for them.” — Chagrin Falls coach Mark Iammarino

An interception by Carson Lehrer of Woodridge two plays later gave the ball back to Bulldogs. They managed to move to the 33yard line until linebacker Junior linebacker Owen McClintock came up with a stop for Chagrin on fourthand-1 to thwart the drive.

After their third takeaway of the afternoon, Woodridge mounted the touchdown drive they were anticipating all game. Senior running back Ben Lahoski punched it in from 1 yard out with 5:29 left to culminate a 61-yard drive. The converted extra point put the Bulldogs within two points and gave their fans hope.

On Chagrin’s next possession, Woodridge intercepted its third pass of the afternoon at the 1-yard line. The Bulldogs could only advance the ball to their 15-yard line before turning it over on downs. The celebration in the Chagrin stands began.

Perez thought that the team did a good job of being able to regroup and was ready to play. “We came back and stayed focused. Our defense did an amazing job.”

Woodridge coach Jeff Decker, who was an assistant to Iammarino at Chagrin Falls said: “We played a lot better today. We just didn’t execute. Hats off to them (Chagrin). They are a well coached-team.”