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Solon holds off Euclid
(by Steve Novak - November 12, 2009)
Solon holds off Euclid
By STEVE NOVAK
Both the Solon and Euclid football teams have storied histories of playoff appearances throughout the past two decades. However, for the 2009 season, it is the Comets whose story will continue at least one more week.
In a Division I playoff game last Saturday night, Coach Jim McQuaide’s Comets proved to be the last team standing with a 10-7 triumph.
The victory sends Solon (11-0) to a second-round matchup against Mayfield (10-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Parma’s Byers Field at Boulton Stadium.
This will be the second time the two teams have faced each other this season. Solon defeated the Wildcats, 27-20, on Oct. 2.
“Being 11-0 and having the opportunity to play in the regional semifinals is tremendous for us, but it means that we need to work harder to be successful Saturday night,” McQuaide said. “We look forward to taking on Mayfield for the second time this season and need to be sound in all aspects of the game to be successful at Byers Field.”
Although Solon and Euclid were known throughout the year for quick-strike and long-distance offenses, the game at Stewart Field turned out to be a defensive battle.
The teams fought each other to a scoreless draw in the opening quarter. Solon finally broke through in the second quarter when Kevin Hicks kicked a 27-yard field goal.
Euclid did not capitalize on its next possession, giving the ball back to Solon and the Comets took advantage. With 8:41 showing on the clock, quarterback Jake Voigt found Ryan Rosenberg wide open on a crossing pattern in the end zone. The extra point kick gave Solon a 10-0 lead.
But before the end of the first half, Euclid was able to make good on one of its drives. With the ball inside the red zone, Euclid running back Devon McGowan found a crease in the line and slipped through for a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:46 remaining in the half.
Euclid, which outgained the Comets both in the air and on the ground, had a pair of opportunities in the final quarter. The Panthers brought the ball inside the 40-yard line, but an attempt for a possible game-tying field goal was not successful.
Later in the period, another Euclid drive came to a halt when Brandon Smith made an interception.
Voigt completed 9 of 17 passes for 72 yards, while Kyle Hammonds gained 64 yards in 22 carries.
McQaide gave credit to his defensive squad for making the victory possible. During the season, the Comets had held seven opponents to seven points or fewer.
McQuaide said his offense often had trouble picking up yardage against the formations used by the Euclid down linemen.
“They were doing a lot of slanting on their defensive line,” he said. “There were a lot of schemes we didn’t see (in scouting). It took a while to get adjusted to them. Things are different in playoffs from the regular season. A lot of our guys had their eyes opened with that game.”
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