SPARTANS PROTECT THEIR HOME AGAINST RIVAL WARRIORS
Photo Credit: Noelle Nunes
Conneaut, OH- In another meeting between 2 of Ashtabula County’s oldest rivals, the Conneaut Spartans clashed with the Edgewood Warriors in a high-stakes matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats. It was a game that showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, but in the end, the Conneaut Spartans emerged victorious with a final score of 27-24.
The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Conneaut’s Max Gleason bulldozing his way into the end zone with a powerful 7-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the PAT was no good, putting Conneaut ahead 6-0. However, Edgewood responded swiftly as Tony Hall orchestrated a 1-yard TD run, and Samuel Linder’s extra point was good, giving Edgewood the lead at 7-6. The momentum swings continued as Conneaut’s Wyatt Payne electrified the crowd with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Bryce Spurlin’s extra point was successful, putting Conneaut back in the lead at 13-7. Just minutes later, Edgewood’s Tony Hall connected with Jacob Ernst for a 35-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point was good, giving Edgewood a narrow 14-13 lead to end the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams fighting tooth and nail. Max Gleason bulldozed his way into the end zone again, this time with a 2-yard TD run, and Spurlin’s extra point was good, putting Conneaut up 20-14. But Edgewood wasn’t going down without a fight, and Samuel Linder nailed a 30-yard field goal with just three seconds left in the half, cutting Conneaut’s lead to 20-17 at halftime.
The third quarter remained scoreless, as both defenses stepped up their game, refusing to yield any ground. It was a true battle of wills.
The fourth quarter, however, would prove decisive. With 9:05 left on the clock, Max Gleason powered his way into the end zone for the third time, this time with a 2-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good, extending Conneaut’s lead to 27-17. Edgewood wasn’t ready to give up, as Tony Hall once again connected with Jacob Ernst, this time on a 30-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point was good, closing the gap to 27-24.
In the end, the Conneaut Spartans managed to hold onto their lead and secure the hard-fought victory. With this win, they improved their record to 5-3, with a 2-1 standing in the CVC Lake Division. Meanwhile, Edgewood’s Tony Hall continued to shine, setting a school record with his 21st and 22nd touchdown passes of the season, despite the loss. The Edgewood Warriors moved to 4-4 on the season, with a 0-3 standing in the CVC Lake Division.
Looking ahead, the Conneaut Spartans will face off against the Lakeside Dragons in week 9, while the Edgewood Warriors will take on the Jefferson Falcons. With the season heating up, fans can expect more thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments on the gridiron.
