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Comets upend Canton McKinley in opener
(by Steve Novak - August 27, 2008)
Comets upend Canton McKinley in opener
By STEVE NOVAK
Solon made it past the first hurdle of the obstacle course better known as its 2008 schedule. Last Saturday, the Comets played one of the most storied football programs in the state, Canton McKinley, and they came away with a 24-10 victory at Fawcett Stadium in Canton in the first meeting of the two schools.
With new quarterback Jake Voigt at the helm this year, Solon's offense ran for more than 200 yards. Voigt also passed for 142 yards on 10 of 22 completions.
Kyle Hammonds carried the ball 15 times for 108 yards and Juan Lemus gained 78 yards on 19 attempts.
The Comets' defense was up to the task, too, holding the Bulldogs to less than 100 yards. Tony Davidson had 14 tackles, including six unassisted.
"They only had 79 yards of total offense," Coach Jim McQuaide said. "Our defense really helped control things."
The Comets have no letup in the schedule as they host another perennial power, Massillon Jackson, at 7 p.m. Friday. Massillon Jackson defeated Copley in its opener, 12-7.
"They're a very good team," McQuaide said. "They've got a very good tailback who broke one for 90 yards last game, and they've got a veteran quarterback. We've got a lot of work to do to get ready for that game this week."
Gilmour Academy is shooting its second consecutive trip to the playoffs and the Lancers started things out the right way Saturday with a 28-21 nonconference win over visiting Leavittsburg LaBrae.
Running back Tommy Hallal, who ran for 1,000 yards last season, showed that he intends to have another big year. The senior back scored two touchdowns, one on a 52-yard run. Lou Cangelosi also scored on a 50-yard run.
The Lancers host Cleveland John Adams at 1 p.m. Saturday.
In a traditional backyard rivalry, University School won this year's bragging rights with a 35-7 nonconference victory over visiting Hawken School.
US Coach Jim Stephens had said that he wanted to use both of his quarterbacks early in the season, and this game proved to be an opportunity for both of them. When starting quarterback Dan Frate was not taking the snaps, Stephens often used him as a running back. Back-up quarterback Richard Morrow ran for one touchdown and threw for three more in the second half.
Stephens said he was especially pleased with the way that the Preppers held Hawken to only one touchdown.
"Our defense did well," Stephens said. "We really held them through most of the game. Except for a few breakdowns, I was really happy with them."
US hosts Villa Angela-St. Joseph at 1 p.m. Saturday.
John Wilson scored Hawken's lone touchdown. The Hawks travel Lutheran West in Rocky River at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Chagrin Falls passed its opening test Friday when the Tigers came out the winner in a close nonconference game with visiting Woodridge, 27-21. The Tigers gained 240 yards by way of the air, with quarterback Chris Tinetti completing 12 out of 17 passes including three for touchdowns.
The Tigers scored 20 points in the opening quarter and added another touchdown in the second quarter.
Woodridge scored one touchdown in the first half and made the game close with two more scores in the second half.
Chagrin Falls travels to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin at 7 p.m. Friday.
Orange started the 2007 season with four straight wins and Coach Nick Gerhard and the Lions got off to a fast start with a 28-7 nonconference triumph over visiting Bay.
Quarterback Ryan Bitzer threw for a pair of touchdowns, including a 34-yard strike to Ronelle Lovelace. Running back Josh Rogers gained 135 yards in 16 carries.
"It was a nice sold defensive effort on our end pretty much through the game," Gerhard said. "But we had a lot of penalties. We had 13 penalties (for 115 yards), so that's something we're going to have to work on this week."
Rogers also made 13 tackles, including eight unassisted, while Jai-lyn Moore had 12 tackles, including nine unassisted.
The Lions travel to Baldwin-Wallace College's Finnie Stadium to face Middleburg Heights Midpark at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
West Geauga and Parma Padua saved their best offensive punches for the end of the nonconference contest.
The visiting Wolverines scored 13 points in the final period, but the Bruins came back with 16 points in the final quarter to post a 26-19 win.
The Wolverines took a 19-18 lead on Kevin Sonnie's three-yard run and Josh Puskar's extra point with 3:29 left in the game. Padua scored with 1:40 remaining to win the game.
Quarterback Lou Link threw for 201 yards on six of 11 tries, while Brody Fratantonio caught three passes for 138, including a 31-yard tochdown pass.
West Geauga team has a Friday game at Painesville Riverside at 7 p.m.
Kenston had a rough opening week as the Bombers found themselves on the short end of a 35-0 score against host Kent Roosevelt in a nonconference matchup.
A.J. Holderman caught three passes from quarterback Danny Sciortino, who completed seven of 15 attempts.
A stingy Kent Roosevelt defense held the Bombers to less than 100 yards passing.
The Bombers travel to Chardon for a 7 p.m. Friday game.
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