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Comets' big comeback falls one point short
(by Steve Novak - November 25, 2009)
Comets' big comeback falls one point short
By STEVE NOVAK
For more than 23 minutes of the second half of last Saturday's Division I regional final game at Byers Field at Boulton Stadium in Parma, Solon played like it was headed to the state final four.
But it was not to be.
The Comets' gritty comeback from 21 points down fell short when a 50-yard field-goal attempt missed in the final seconds, allowing Glenville to escape with a 28-27 victory.
"They (Glenville) made some big plays in the first half," Solon coach Jim McQuaide said. "We didn't play very well in the first half. I told our guys there is no such thing as a 21-point play. We just have to work our way back into it."
The Comets went to work in the second half, relying on the same solid offensive punch that brought the Comets to 12 straight wins against a host of Division I powerhouses. It also was the first time all season they had trailed by such a large margin.
Trailing 28-7 at the beginning of the third quarter, Solon methodically began to work its way back. The explosive Glenville offense went into high gear in the first half as the Tarblooders put together a 21-point lead in only one quarter of play.
The first sign that there was still life in the Solon offense showed itself about halfway through the third period. Senior quarterback Jake Voigt drove his team slowly but effectively. Christian Jackson finally scored the team's second touchdown, turning the contest into a two-possession game.
Mere seconds later, Solon again found itself in possession of the ball as Brandon Smith gathered in a fumble near midfield.
The Comets converted on a touchdown by Chris Humphrey at the beginning of the fourth quarter and the extra point kick by Kevin Hicks cut the Glenville advantage to 28-21.
A few minutes later, a bad snap on an attempted punt by Glenville gave the Comets excellent field position inside the 20-yard line. Humphrey scored again for Solon a few plays later on a 4-yard run, but the extra point kick which would have tied the game was blocked.
McQuaide had nothing but praise for his team, especially in the second half.
"They're good guys," he said. "I never saw kids work harder. I talked to them after the game. It was the last time I'd talk to the seniors. I told them 'You always have to stick together.' We started working on this season last Dec. 1."
Those early December weight-lifting sessions were the start of the turnaround that McQuaid and his team wanted. After a disappointing 6-4 season last year and no playoff berth, he had said the Comets wanted to win their conference championship and return to the playoffs. The 2008 season was the first time in a decade that Solon did not qualify for the postseason.
McQuaide and his team accomplished their goals by winning the Northeastern Conference title, completing an undefeated regular season and advancing to the Division I regional finale.
"Yeah, maybe in a couple of days I'll start appreciating it more," McQuaide said. "I told the guys that you don't always get what you want, but you have to be a man about it, and accept it. Still, we were 12-1. I know a lot of guys who would take that."
McQuaide said Ohio High School Athletic Association rules allow team to begin off-season fitness training 30 days after the end of a team's regular season. This means that next season's Solon team can begin their workouts in late December.
"That puts us after the holiday, and that's when we'll get started at it again," he said. "As soon as we all get back from holiday break, that's when we'll be ready to go."
CORRECTION:A photo last week incorrectly identified Solon football players making a tackle and moving in for a fumble recovery against Mayfield. The players were Nick Davidson and A.J. Hicks,
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