Euclid, OH- In the opening round of the Division III playoffs Euclid played host in Euclid
Community Stadium to the University School Preppers who finished the regular season 8-1, going up against the Kenston Bombers (7-3). The winner of this game would get the winner of Youngstown Chaney and Alliance next week in the second round of the playoffs.
Kenston was lead by 3 star recruit (Jr) RB Sean Patrick who has received interest from D1
colleges such as Iowa State, Boston College, Toledo, and Akron. The Preppers are lead by (Sr) RB Ryan Pattison who averaged over 130 yards per game during the regular season and looked to keep the momentum going tonight.
Kenston won the toss and elected to receive, looking to set the tone early in the game. Sean Patrick busted a forty yard run down to the University 18 yard line. Two plays later, Bomber QB Nikko Georgiou found WR Tymir Cardona for a great over the shoulder grab for a 17 yard touchdown. University blocked the extra point. Bombers 6, University 0.
Not to be outdone, The Preppers came right back with a dominant drive of their own. RB Ryan Pattison busted the drive open with a 35 yard run. University QB Jackson Boland found a wide open WR Johnny Diaz over the middle of the field for a 36 yard touchdown connection. After the extra point, US had taken back the lead 7-6.
Sean Patrick looked like a man on a mission the very next drive as he took the hand off on the very first play and ran for an 81 yard, quick Kenston touchdown. Kenston this time shanked the extra point left and no good. Still regaining the lead on the back of their star player.
University was driving down the field, when the first quarter came to and end. On the first play of quarter number two QB Jackson Boland again found WR Johnny Diaz for a 15 yard touchdown pass and catch. After the extra point the Preppers had the lead 14-12.
Kenston started with great field position after University tried a pooch kick on the kickoff and was flagged for catch interference. The Bombers strategy of just handing the ball off to RB Sean Patrick was working, as again, on the first play of the drive, he took the ball 49 yards for a Kenston touchdown. The Bombers decided to go for a two point conversion after their struggles in the kicking game and came up short again, failing to covert.
After a game of who can commit more penalties on the next drive, University’s RB Ryan Pattison snuck out of the backfield running right up the middle and QB Jackson Boland found him for a 50 yard touchdown. US taking back the lead 21-18.
Kenston was backed up with 4 minutes left in the half and on a third and 28, the Bombers
Georgiou threw a 27 yard pass to RB Sean Patrick. They then converted the fourth and 1. Georgiou scampered for a 12 yard touchdown run.
University would not be the first to punt. Just like every drive previously they methodically drove down the field ending with a 21 yard touchdown reception caught by WR Brian Kellon. The Preppers decided to go for two in a confusing moment, and were denied by the Bombers. US leading again 27-25.
The first half saw both teams scoring a touchdown on every drive until Kenston, who was driving with 30 seconds left on the clock in the first half and deep in University territory saw Bombers QB Nikko make the first mistake of the game, throwing an interception to US WR/DB Brian Kellon and ending the half.
The Bombers clamped down on defense on the first drive on the second half, forcing University to punt. That was the first punt in the game.
Kenston’s RB Sean Patrick continued his dominance as he had three carries on the next drive of 12 yards, 44 yards, and ending with a 2 yard touchdown giving the Bombers the lead back. Kenston was starting to figure out University’s offense, but US could not figure out how to stop Sean Patrick. On a third and long Patrick caught a 43 yard pass from Georgiou down to the 10. He then took it into the endzone on a 10 yard rushing touchdown. 40-27 Kenston.
University got back on the board with 6:46 left. The drive was again a great combination of the running and passing game, capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run by QB Jackson Boland.
The game was put on the line as Kenston lined up for a fourth and 1 with 4:24 left. University
forced a fumble on the play and although it was recovered by Kenston, University started with the ball already on Kenston’s 30 yard line.
University was plowing the ball down the field 5 yards at a time while eating up clock trying to
get into the end zone and not leave Kenston time if they were able to score. However after a holding penalty pushed US back the 16, Jackson Boland was intercepted by WR/DB Tymir Cardona to end the game with Kenston coming out on top and advancing.
This game was a game of inches. It was going to come down to who made the last mistake. Both teams made huge plays when needed. Both teams pushed each other to the limit, but in the end the Kenston Bombers came away with the win 40-33.
Players of the Game
University- QB Jackson Boland- 18/26 285 passing yards 4 TDS, 1 rushing TD
Kenston- RB Sean Patrick- 256 yards rushing 4 TDS, 3 catches for 108 Yards receiving
I caught up with both coaches and Kenston RB Sean Patrick.
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