The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Sophomore sparks Wolverines past Red Raiders
Sophomore running back Burke Buell ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries to help spark the offense in the second half and fuel a 38-0 West Geauga victory over Harvey on Sept. 17.
The Wolverines (3-1, 2-1) opened the scoring after a shaky start that included an interception in the end zone by the Red Raiders’ Katory Shaw with a 36-yard field goal by Joey DiLalla.
Both offenses remained idle throughout the rest of the first half, but things turned in the Wolverines’ favor in the second half once Buell got involved.
Starting tailback Trae Zimmermann left the game with an injury, and the team called on Buell to
THE SCORE WEST GEAUGA 38, HARVEY 0
pick up the slack.
A great kickoff return set up the Wolverines inside Harvey territory. It took four plays, capped off by a six-yard touchdown run by the 5-foot-11 running back to hit pay dirt.
“I give all the credit to our blockers,” Buell said. “They got a real big push, and we just came out with energy and we just brought it.”
Once the offensive wheels got in motion, there was no stopping the Wolverines. West Geauga needed two plays on defense to recover a fumble, and Buell capitalized with another six-yard touchdown run.
It turned into a blowout on the next offensive possession, when Danny Stewart hit Torry Stazzone for a 10-yard touchdown reception.
The Red Raiders’ offense remained stuck in neutral all night. Harvey senior quarterback Jaden Debevec couldn’t find any room to throw in the passing lanes, as the receivers were locked up by West Geauga defenders. The Wolverines’ defense allowed just five completions all night.
“We’ve been locked on all year,” West Geauga coach Adam Sopkovich said.
“That’s something that we’re trying to pride ourselves in is getting big plays. I can’t be more proud of these guys.”
Stewart finished with 113 passing yards and a touchdown pass on five completions out of nine attempts. He also had 91 rushing yards and a score. Stazzone racked up 86 receiving yards and a touchdown reception on three catches. Debevec led Harvey with just 40 passing yards on five completions out of 15 pass attempts with 28 rushing yards on 10 carries.
The Wolverines will host conference rival Edgewood on Sept. 25, while Harvey will welcome conference rival Geneva to town the same evening.