By Sean Duffy

Olmsted Falls, OH-  The most wonderful time of year is upon us, Week 1 of High School Football in Northeast Ohio.   Our game of the week is a match up of two teams very much riding a wave of buzz  and expectation for the 2018 campaign. The Brecksville Broadview Heights Bees from the Suburban League National Division travel to Olmsted Falls to take on the Bulldogs of the Southwestern Conference.

After forcing a Brecksville punt on the opening drive, the Bulldogs struck first. Senior QB Teddy Grendzynski scored on a 20 yd TD Run, Bulldogs led 7-0 Early in to the first quarter.  Olmsted Falls’ defense forced a fumble on the very next Brecksville play from scrimmage, and took over  deep in Bee territory.  Grendzynski would find Senior WR Braden Galaska for a 24 yd TD and the Bulldogs led 14-0 Half way through the first quarter.

Brecksville was finally able to get some rhythm offensively  as they put together a 67 yd drive that was capped off with a 6 yd  TD run from Junior RB Christian Mitchell.  At the end of the first quarter the bulldogs led 14-7.

Brecksville’s Defense was able to stifle the bulldog offense on a 4th and 1 to open the second quarter, giving the bees great field position.  However, the Bulldog defense immediately responded with an interception by Braden Galaska.  Olmsted Falls utilized a 27 yd pass and catch  from Grendzynski to Senior WR Dylan Reines; that set up a 1 yd TD Plunge by Senior RB Jack Spellacy, Olmsted Falls Led 21-7 early in the second quarter.   The Bees responded with a scoring drive of 75 yds, Sophmore RB Garret Kubitz would score on a 1 yd TD run, Olmsted falls led 21-14  with 4:59 left in the half.  The Brecksville defense was able to force a fumble on the next Bulldog offensive possession and Brecksville Sophomore QB Joe Labas connected with Junior WR Ronald Wilson for a 24 yd TD pass and catch, just like that the game was tied 21-21 with 1:21 Left in the half.

Olmsted Falls capitalized on an excellent kick off return and marched 49 yds down the field and a 2 yd TD run by Spellacy, his second on the night, gave the bulldogs a 28-21 lead at half time.

Olmsted Falls Dominated the third quarter on both sides of the ball.  Offensively the Bulldogs would have two drives of 80 yds to tack on two more TDs, Each ran in by  QB Teddy Grendzynski,  giving him 3 on the night.  Defensively the Bulldogs were smothering the Bees, creating negative plays,  limiting yards after contact, and notching a big sack on fourth down to end the quarter,  Olmsted Falls lead stood at 41-21.

The Bulldogs continued to score at will, this time Grendzynski found Senior RB Michael Howard for a 3 yd TD pass, Bulldogs Led 48-21 early in the 4th.

The Bees would respond with a scoring drive of 80 yds, capped off by a 3 yd TD run from Christian Mitchell,  Bulldogs held a 48-28 lead with 7:00 left in the game.  Olmsted Falls again Responded with a 63 yd scoring drive, punctuated by a 1 yd TD run by Junior Alec Wall.  The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs would defeat the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees 55-28.

The Bees fall to 0-1 on the season as they will look to rebound in week 2 as they will host Garfield Heights.  Olmsted Falls was led by Senior QB and player of game Teddy Grendzynski with 5 total TDs , 3 Rushing and 2 passing on the night.  The Bulldogs improve to 1-0 on the season and will  go on the road in week 2 to face Avon as they open up Southwestern conference play.