Pappas throws 30-yard TD to give Shoremen the win

Avon Lake has no problem hearing that they are not ready to contend, in fact they have used that bulletin board material all summer long.

The Shoremen (1-0) shook off a few opening night jitters as they defeated the Elyria Pioneers (0-1) with a game-winning last minute drive from senior quarterback Mark Pappas as he connected with fellow senior Carson Toy on a 30-yard touchdown as the Shoremen snatched the 2321 victory on Aug. 26.

For Shoremen coach Dave Dlugosz, the 1-0 start to the season is a welcomed relief.

“We got some recievers that will shake lose if you give them the opportunity and the thing that was most admirable was being down with about 1:15 sec left and then driving the ball down the field for the game winning touchdown,” coach Dlugosz said. “Unbelieveable! What a great start to a high school football season.”

As the Pioneers unveiled their new black jerseys, the Shoremen also unveiled something new as they made it their mission to drive the ball down the field through the air as opposed to the usual Shoremen ground and pound style. With Mark Pappass’ 333 passing yards and three touchdowns the offense was on full display.

“We have a great group of recievers, but our line did a great job and we have to give the credit to them,” Pappas said.

Despite all the talk of Carson Toy, it was senior Hunter Bateman who stole the show in the first half as he racked up five catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns early on, Bateman would finish with a few more catches in the second half but was widely focused on after Elyria made adjustments.

Bateman was quick to thank his fellow senior leaders for the big game.

“It was all on our line and our receiving core just spreading the ball, we have a lot of faith in our receiving core, like Carson said and we all kind of just get behind him and ride with him until the end.” Bateman said.

Both teams seemed evenly matched throughout the entire game as they traded back and forth with fantastic open catches and long yardage plays.

The Pioneers dual threat quarterback Dontae Beckett did not disappoint on opening night as he ran all over the field compiling 2 touchdowns with 16 rushes for 123 and finishing 10-15 with 122 yards passing

“Dontae Becket played tremendously,” Elyria coach Kevin Fell said. “

He struck quickly with a 43-yard quarterback scramble as he found the endzone early on putting the Pioneers ahead 7-0, early in the first quarter.

Avon Lake’s Pappas was quick to retaliate as he connected with Hunter Bateman on a 52-yard touchdown pass, as the game was tied back up at 7-7.

Despite many mistakes, including a few interceptions, Pappas continued to maintain his composure and again found Bateman for a 16-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds of the first quarter, giving the Shoremen a 14-7 lead.

With both teams fumbling the ball, defenses had many opportunities to shine. Elyria’s safety Brendan Price took full advantage as he picked off Pappas with a 37-yard touchdown return, tying the game at 14-14.

Avon Lake kicker Noah Fowkes’ number was called as he just barely notched a 23-yard field goal as the Shoremen crept back on top 17-14.

Beckett decided to take matters into his own hands as he drove down the field, eventually scoring on an 11-yard run as the Pioneers clung to a 21-17 lead.