Shaker Heights, OH- In a showdown reminiscent of classic Lake Erie League clashes, the Shaker Heights Red Raiders asserted their dominance over the Maple Heights Mustangs, securing a resounding 42-8 victory Thursday night in an unfamiliar environment.
A little under two hours before kickoff, Shaker administrators put out a notice that no fans nor Shaker's marching band would able to attend the game due to a threat of violence against the game. To keep all players on both teams safe fans had to enjoy the game watching on YouTube.
A stadium with no fans didn't stop the undefeated Raiders from a quick start and never letting up. From the opening kickoff, it was evident that Shaker Heights came to play, firing on all cylinders. Their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity left no room for doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with as a new member of the Greater Cleveland Conference.
A Thunderous Start
The Raiders wasted no time making their presence felt on the field. Senior Quarterback, Abdullah Ahmad, orchestrated a commanding opening drive that set the tone for the entire contest. Ahmad connected with junior wide receiver, Trey McNutt, for a eight-yard touchdown pass, sending the Shaker sidle line into a frenzy. With a successful PAT conversion by Jack Geisler, the Raiders took an early 7-0 lead.
Maple answered back quickly. Junior running back Devin Poole found his way into the end zone after evading multiple tackles for an 11-yard touchdown run. It was all Shaker thereafter.
Defensive & Special Teams Dominance
Shaker Heights' defense and special teams were equally as impressive, swarming the Maple Heights offense at every turn. Led by senior outside linebacker Digamo Richards, the stingy Raiders defense consistently pressured Mustangs' quarterback, Kindall Brown, forcing multiple turnovers not only on him but multiple others. The relentless defensive effort translated into a strip fumble by senior defensive Kameron Jackson, before junior running back Kheyden King further expanded Shaker Heights' lead.
Photo via Shaker YouTube stream
Making History
As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard was all in favor of the Raiders. Shaker Heights had not only dominated their former Lake Erie League rival, but they had also achieved a remarkable 5-0 start to the season, a feat that had eluded them for over two decades.
Raiders Head Coach, Alex Nicholson, praised his team's achieving this performance, saying, "Our kids and the coaching staff have worked extremely hard this off-season. Holding each other accountable and holding the standard that was set. We have a long way to go but I am extremely happy with where we are at and the progress that has been made."
Nicholson also spoke about how proud he was of the team finishing strong after a slow third quarter, saying, "I’m proud of their resilience. We’ve got a lot of things to fix that can hurt us down the road, but I’m proud of how the kids worked the slow 2nd half start to finish strong."
Next Up
(5-0) Shaker Heights is on the road next week for a Greater Cleveland Conference matchup with the (0-4) Brunswick Blue Devils.
(1-4) Maple Heights is hosting the (0-4) Warrensville Heights Tigers for a Lake Erie League conference matchup.
Unofficial Stats
Shaker Heights:
Abdullah Ahmad- 7/15 119 yards 2 TDs & 8 rushes 14 yards 1 TD
Cornell Beard- 14 rushes 114 yards 1 TD & 2 catches 26 yards
Kheyden King- 6 rushes 57 yards 1TD
Jackson Ward- 1 INT & 1 rec 59 yards 1TD
Maple Heights:
Kindall Brown- 13/22 137 yards 1 INT & 15 rushes 29 yards
Devin Poole- 14 rushes 34 yards 1 TD
Donaiz Barker- 4 rushes 48 yards.
Here's a few links to rewatch the game