By Sean Duffy

Medina, OH- The final week of the regular season is here and normally if would be pontificating upon how quickly the 2023 regular season has come and gone. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on you view) as Leonardo Dicaprio once said in the movie Gangs of New York “We got business”. That business is the Suburban League American Conference title, for the first time since I have started covering the Suburban League American Conference, we find ourselves with an honest to God championship game between two of the top teams in the Conference, the Aurora Greenmen enter the contest after a thrilling road victory in week 9 at Barberton. Their opponent is the Highland Hornets, the hornets have been dominating teams down the stretch and will look to secure their first back-to-back division titles since the 1974 and 1975 seasons. It is time to finish the business and crown a Suburban League American Conference.

If you looked to this game to be a high scoring affair, you were in for a night of disappointment as Aurora jumped out a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter thanks to a 34 yd field goal from Dom Trivisonno.

Aurora’s had a bend but don’t break philosophy as they allowed highland to get into the red zone. However, the Hornets would turn the ball over three times deep inside Aurora territory throughout the first three quarters. Auroras defense forced a turnover on downs, a fumble, and an interception to stifle any momentum for the host Hornets. Highlands’s defense also did an admirable job hemming up Aurora’s offense with sacks, tackles for loss, and really impressive open field tackling. heading into the fourth quarter it was a good ole fashion defensive battle.

Highland would finally get on the scoreboard midway through the fourth quarter. Peyton Janickas would score on an electrifying 35-yard TD run to give the Hornets a 7-3 lead with 6:36 remaining in the game.

The Greenmen would get another dose of late game magic courtesy of Dylan Crasi. This time catching a 25 yd TD pass from backup QB Ryan Dwyer ( Aurora Starting QB Brandon Liepins was injured on previous play), Highland would block the extra point and Aurora led 9-7 with 1:35 left in the game.

In what was the gutsiest call in the game Aurora Coach Bob Mihalik chose to go for an onside kick to ice the game. If it did not work, it would set up Highland with great field position and plenty of time to go down and score. Coach Mihalik’s gamble paid off as Aurora would recover the onside kick, force highland to burn its time outs to secure the 9-7 road victory and the Suburban League American Conference Championship.

Highland finishes the regular season 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the Suburban League American Conference. The Hornets are currently the #3 seed in Division II Region 6. They await the official OHSAA Playoff bracket to determine next week’s opponent.

Aurora finishes the regular season 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the Suburban League American Conference. The Greenmen are the 2023 Suburban League American Conference Champions, they are currently the #3 seed in Division III Region 9. They await the official OHSAA Playoff bracket to determine next week’s opponent.

So long from Highland!!