By Sean Duffy

Olmsted Falls, OH- We are in the the thick of conference play in the 2022 Regular Season. To quote the immortal words of Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “the cream is rising to the top” not only the conference standings but also in the Regional Playoff Rankings. Our Spotlight Game takes us to a huge showdown in the Southwestern Conference between perennial playoff teams who are always in the hunt for conference and state championships every single year. The Avon Eagles ( 5-1, 3-0) come into the game as they always do talented, experienced, and well coached. The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (5-1,3-0) are equally talented, experienced, and well coached. This game will likely determine who is in the driver seat for the Southwestern Conference title and will be a huge factor in each team’s Regional Playoff seeding.

Avon jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead thanks to a TD pass from QB Sam DeTillio to WR Ethan Holbrook. The Bulldogs would respond with a 34 Yd TD Run by RB Michael Candow. Olmsted falls would tack on another score before the end of the first quarter, this time QB Andrew Herzog would connect with RB Rocco Conti for a 21 yd TD. After the first quarter of play Olmsted Falls held a 14-7 lead.

Avon would find a rhythm offensively, scoring 21 unanswered points in the quarter holding Olmsted falls scoreless. Eagles QB Sam DeTillio would throw his second TD pass to Gavin Erhardt.

DeTilllio would also connect with Ethan Holbroook for a second time in the game thanks to a 25 yd TD pass.

Senior RB Jakorion Caffey would score the final TD of the half after plunging into the endzone from 1 yd out to give the Eagles a 28-14 Lead at halftime.

Avon got the ball to start the second half and wasted no time increasing their lead thanks to another TD pass from DeTillio to Holbrook to increase their lead to 35-14 with 9:34 remaining in the third quarter

Sam DeTillio and Ethan Holbrook would again connect for a score, this time on a 67 yd pass, Avon Lead 41-14 after a missed extra point.

Olmsted Falls would not go down without a fight as senior RB Rocco Conti would score on a 82 yd run to cut the lead to 41-21 with 4:45 remaining in the third quarter. Avon’s DeTillio and Holbrook could not be stopped as they connected on the next drive for a 31 yd TD, a successful 2 pt conversion made the score 48-21 with 0:57 remaining in the third quarter. Olmsted Falls’ Jack Pinchek would take the ensuing kick off 90 yds for a score, Avon led 48-28 with 0:45, but Olmsted falls was able to recover an onside kick and ended the third quarter with the ball in Avon territory.

The Bulldogs would start the fourth quarter with a 1 yd TD run by Derek Necktar to cut Avon’s lead 48-35 early in the fourth quarter. Avon’s Jakorion Caffey would take over the scoring load for the Eagles with a 47 yd TD to increase the lead to 56-35 with 10:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Olmsted Falls’ Jack Pinchek would score on a 51 yd TD run on the Bulldogs next offensive drive, Avon led 56-42 with 8:09 remaining in the game. Jakorion Caffey would score his third TD of the night, a 51 yd run to put the Eagles up 63-42. Caffey’s TD would prove to be the nail in the coffin for Olmsted Falls as the Avon Eagles get the win 63-42.

The Bulldogs fall to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Southwestern Conference. Olmsted Falls was led offensively by RB Rocco Conti who had 1 Rush TD and 1 Pass TD, Bulldog RB Jack Pinchek also scored 2 TDs on the night. Olmsted Falls will look to get back on the winning side of the ledger as they host Amherst in Week 8.

The Eagles improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Southwestern Conference. Avon was led offensively by QB Sam DeTillio who had 6 passing TDs on the night, 5 of those to WR Ethan Holbrook; RB Jakorion Caffey also had three rushing TDs. Avon will look to continue its winning ways in Week 8 as they host Berea-Midpark.

So long from Olmsted Falls!!!