Presented by Raymond Felton State Farm of Hudson
By Sean Duffy
Hudson, OH– The 2022 OHSAA Playoffs are upon us, hard as it may seem to believe. Every team that makes the playoffs have a shot at a State Championship in their respective divisions, but to get there you have do one thing, win. Our featured game of the week is an opening round matchup in Division II Region 5, the #14 Solon Comets travel to take on the #3 Hudson Explorers. This is the first year in Division II for Solon who played in Division I last year. Hudson is a perennial fixture in the top portion of the region. This is a rematch of a week 1 matchup that saw Hudson edge out Solon 14-13, can the Comets avenge the loss from week 1, or will Hudson be able to beat the Comets for the second time this season to move on to round 2? It is sure to be a battle in Hudson.
It was clear right from the start that Hudson’s defense was going to make it a long night for Solon QB Harley Barmen who was constantly under pressure from the Explorers defensive line. Solon’s defense was also showing out in the first quarter stopping Hudson on a 4th and Goal from 2 yds line. Hudson was able to put 3 points on the board in the first quarter thanks to a 23 yd field goal from Hudson kicker DJ Ashe. Hudson led 3-0 after the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the defenses for both teams. Solon’s defensive unit would force two turnovers in the quarter, a fumble and an interception but failed to capitalize on either. The Explorers defense continued their harassment Harley Barmen sacking the backup QB multiple times in the quarter and forcing an interception of their own. Hudson RB Ian Ludewig would score on a 44 yd TD run late in the second quarter to give the Explorers a 10-0 lead at halftime.
The Hudson defense would continue to dominate in the third quarter as well sacking Barmen 4 times in the quarter and preventing Solon from getting anything going offensively. The Explorers defense would also add to the scoreboard thanks to a 70 yd interception return for a TD by Hudson LB Blake Toth. At the end of the third quarter Hudson led 17-0.
Hudson would add to their lead in the fourth quarter scoring twice, first a 1 yd TD run by Ludewig, his 2nd TD of the night. the second came on a 64 yd run by QB Jaggar Pallay. Pallay’s TD would prove to be the nail in Solon’s coffin as a running clock ticked down to Hudson claiming the 31-0 victory.
Solon Finishes the season 6-5 overall, they were led offensively by QB Harley Barmen who despite two interceptions and multiple sacks did lead the Comets rushing attack. Solon’s Defense kept the comets in the game for most of the night forcing two turnovers, however the offense was on able to capitalize on either.
The win moves Hudson into the Division II Regional quarterfinal round. The Explorers were led offensively by RB Ian Ludewig’s two rushing TDs. QB Jaggar Pallay also had a rushing TD on the night. LB Blake Toth had a 70 yd interception return for a TD as well. Hudson will host #6 seeded Walsh Jesuit in the Division II Region 5 Quarter finals next week
So long from Hudson!
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