By Sean Duffy

Brunswick, OH– It is the final week of the 2017 high school football regular season, for the lucky few seniors their season will go on into the playoffs, but for most seniors they will be playing under the Friday night lights for the final time. It is a bitter sweet night for most seniors and teams as their 2017 campaign comes to an end.  Our Game of the Week features two Greater Cleveland Conference rivals.  The 5-4 Strongsville Mustangs who are out of the playoff hunt in Division 1 Region 1 but look to finish on a high note as they  travel to face their rival the 5-4 Brunswick Blue Devils.  The Blue Devils are still in the hunt for a playoff berth in Division 1 Region 2, but  records and playoff implications mean nothing in a rivalry game the only thing that matters is beating your rival and getting the all important bragging rights.

The Mustangs came out fast taking the opening kickoff down to the Brunswick 44 yd line, Strongsville QB Jony Major would score on a 35 yd TD run, Mustangs led 7-0 with 9:59 left in the 1st.  The Mustangs would score again this time on a 64 yd TD pass from QB Jony Major to  WR Jo Gillette Gillette, Strongsville took a 14-0 lead with 7:56 left in the 1st. The Blue Devils would fumble the ball deep in their own territory, Mustang LB Tommy Zacharyasz recovered the ball on the Brunswick 30 yd line, on the next play Major would hit Gillette for a 28 yd TD pass, Gillette’s second TD of the night. Strongsville out to a commanding 21-0 lead with 4:30 left in the 1st quarter. The Mustangs defense was able to force another Blue Devil punt, Jony Major would make  Brunswick pay with an 81 yd TD pass to TE Shaun Csire, as the 1st quarter ended Strongsvlle led 28-0.

Strongsville’s defense was just as dominating in the 2nd quarter, forcing yet another punt setting up another Mustang scoring drive, capped off with a 4 yd TD Run from RB Taylor Griffin . Strongsville’s lead swelled to 35-0 early in the 2nd quarter.  The turnover bug continued to plague the Blue Devil offense,  forcing a fumble recovered by DL Peter Schumacher on the Brunswick 13 yd line.  Joe Gillette would score his third  TD of the night on a 13 yd TD Run , a missed two point conversion attempt made the score 41-0 with 9:56 left in the 2nd qtr.  Brunswick’s offense seemed to get their bearings on offense as they drove the ball 79 yds and down to the Strongsville 1 yd line.  However the mustang defense would not allow the score forcing a turnover on downs.  At the Half Strongsville held a 41-0 Lead.

The Blue Devils got the ball to start the third quarter with a running clock, but the Strongsville defense forced yet another turnover, an interception of QB Cole Zamiska by Strongsville DB John Spragg on the Brunswick 34 yd line.  Strongsville was not able to capitalize on the turnover and failed on a 4th down Conversion.  At the end of the 3rd quarter the Mustangs led 41-0.

Strongsville began the 4th quarter with the ball down on the Brunswick 3 yd line threatening to add to their lead.  Brunswick’s defense was able to stop the mustangs from scoring forcing a turnover on downs.  Brunswick took over on their own 3 yd line as the running clock continued to run.  The Blue Devils were able to drive the ball out near mid field before punting away. Strongsville was able to take a knee and preserve a 41-0 blowout win of their rival.

Brunswick ends the season at 5-5 and 3-4 in the Greater Cleveland Conference. the loss washes away any chance of a playoff birth.

Strongsville ends their season 6-4 over all and 4-3 on in the Greater Cleveland Conference.  The Mustangs were led by QB Jony Major with 4 TDs on the night, earning himself player of the game honors.