Berea-Midpark knew it needed to "Titan" up its defense to avoid an 0-2 start. While the Titans sacked Nordonia quarterback Ben Chesser seven times, they were also guilty of roughing the passer twice. They also gave up 175 yards through the air and three TDs in a 30-21 loss to the Knights Friday at Boliantz Stadium.
The Titans scored on the opening drive of the game. Adriel Mendez had a 25-yard run just over five minutes into the contest. A pass conversion made the score 8-0.
Nordonia answered with the running of junior Rocco DeLorenzo and the efficiency of Chesser, who connected with Owen Smotek for ten yards.
The Knights controlled the second quarter. Mike Ebert shined on Senior Night with seven receptions. After DeLorenzo gave Nordonia the lead for good on a nine-yard run, Ebert hauled in a 49-yard pass from freshman Steven Ofaku and the halftime advantage was 20-8.
The lead increased to 15 as senior Connell Rafferty kicked a field goal with 7:23 to go in the quarter.
But on the Knights' next series, Chesser lost the snap. The Titans took advantage of the miscue, scoring on a 12-yard run.
Nordonia forced Titan QB Maddox Swisher into some bad decisions as well. An interception by Vince Natali set up a 25-yard pass from Chesser to Israel Petitte.
In the fourth quarter, Austin Clay had a 40-yard punt return to set up Berea-Midpark. Daniel Bowser got a second chance after Nordonia was called for pass interference in the end zone. With 5:29 to play, Bowser hit Dylan Stackhouse on a four-yard strike. The conversion failed, making it a two-possession contest.
Nordonia ran the clock down to about a minute. Rafferty attempted a 47-yard FG but the Knights were called for illegal procedure, one of just four penalties on them the entire game. Rafferty missed from 52, which would have tied the school record.
DeLorenzo had his second 100-yard game, but the net rushing yardage for the Knights fell below that number due largely to Chesser's minus-34.
The Titans scored on the opening drive of the game. Adriel Mendez had a 25-yard run just over five minutes into the contest. A pass conversion made the score 8-0.
Nordonia answered with the running of junior Rocco DeLorenzo and the efficiency of Chesser, who connected with Owen Smotek for ten yards.
The Knights controlled the second quarter. Mike Ebert shined on Senior Night with seven receptions. After DeLorenzo gave Nordonia the lead for good on a nine-yard run, Ebert hauled in a 49-yard pass from freshman Steven Ofaku and the halftime advantage was 20-8.
The lead increased to 15 as senior Connell Rafferty kicked a field goal with 7:23 to go in the quarter.
But on the Knights' next series, Chesser lost the snap. The Titans took advantage of the miscue, scoring on a 12-yard run.
Nordonia forced Titan QB Maddox Swisher into some bad decisions as well. An interception by Vince Natali set up a 25-yard pass from Chesser to Israel Petitte.
In the fourth quarter, Austin Clay had a 40-yard punt return to set up Berea-Midpark. Daniel Bowser got a second chance after Nordonia was called for pass interference in the end zone. With 5:29 to play, Bowser hit Dylan Stackhouse on a four-yard strike. The conversion failed, making it a two-possession contest.
Nordonia ran the clock down to about a minute. Rafferty attempted a 47-yard FG but the Knights were called for illegal procedure, one of just four penalties on them the entire game. Rafferty missed from 52, which would have tied the school record.
DeLorenzo had his second 100-yard game, but the net rushing yardage for the Knights fell below that number due largely to Chesser's minus-34.
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