After just winning one game two years ago, Avon Lake took a big step in the right direction – and maybe back into the playoffs.
Shoremen senior quarterback Mark Pappas threw three touchdowns, while Tyler Nelson added three rushing scores as host Avon Lake defeated North Olmsted 49-28 in the regular season finale on Oct. 28.
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The win puts Avon Lake (7-3, 6-3) in a position for a possible playoff berth. They needed help from a few teams out west to get its first berth since 2013.
“We had two years where we really weren’t up to what our standards were,” Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz said. “I told the guys you’re going to reestablish it where Avon Lake normally has been … (being) high in the conference (standings), challenging for a conference championship and playing in the playoffs. That was our goal this week and our guys did that.”
After a wild first half, North Olmsted (2-8, 1-8) had a chance to tie the game late in the third quarter. But on fourth-and-one from the Avon Lake three, Caleb Burr knocked away a Brandon Maximovich pass in the end zone to force the turnover on downs.
The big play proved to be vital according to Dlugosz as it solidified the momentum in Avon Lake’s favor.
“I was just watching film and saw they run slants on the goal line sometimes,” Burr said. “I saw his hip go inside. I stuck in my hand and got it.”
The big defensive stop proved to be key as Tyler Nelson ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run four plays after the Shoremen defensive stop.
Nelson added two more touchdown runs of 12 yards each as Avon Lake pulled away for the win in. He finished with 183 yards on 21 carries after having only 36 yards at the half.
“Last game at home, everyone’s emotions were running high,” Nelson said. “The line was amazing, opening up holes everywhere.
“The first half I was a little uncomfortable because the running game wasn’t opening up. But I was happy the passing game was there. The second half opened up (rushing) and it’s a great feeling.”
North Olmsted got on the board first with Brandon Maximovich rushing in from two yards out. The game’s opening drive was set up by a 63-yard run by Christopher Jones, who fumbled and had it bounce back right to him. Jones finished with 119 yards on 17 carries.
Pappas (18-24, 326 yards, three touchdowns) took over, hitting Carson Toy (4-119) from 35 yards out and Jason Sullivan (7-119) from 10 yards to give Avon Lake a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pappas hit Burr from 32 yards out midway through the second quarter to make it 21-7. But the Eagles came back.
Jones had a 22-yard run and a 32-yard touchdown catch which was sandwiched between a Toy eight-yard run as Avon Lake held a 28-21 lead at the half.
The turning point in the third quarter on the missed scoring opportunity is something the Eagles had seen before.
“We’re a team that two or three games we were a play or two away form a win,” North Olmsted Coach Tim Brediger said. “If anything it will motivate us for next year.”
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