Tag Archive for: Cuyahoga Heights

EAGLES STOPPED JUST SHORT OF REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

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Photo Credit: Mahoning Valley Sports

Orwell, OH- The Warren JFK Eagles’ season came to a heartbreaking end Friday night in a tightly contested OHSAA Division VII Regional Semifinal matchup against the Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves. Despite a valiant effort, the Eagles fell short, 21-19, in a game that showcased their resilience and determination.

The Eagles struck first in the opening quarter with an electrifying 80-yard punt return by Marcus Komora, igniting the Warren JFK faithful and putting JFK ahead 7-0. Cuyahoga Heights responded quickly, as Gavin Chamberlin broke through for a 12-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7. The Eagles regained the lead with a 13-yard touchdown scamper from Jaylen Murray, though their two-point conversion attempt came up short, leaving the score at 13-7 heading into the second quarter.

Defensive plays were key in the second quarter, highlighted by Jacob Moore’s interception at the JFK 10-yard line, halting a promising Cuyahoga Heights drive. As time expired in the first half, Fred Bolchalk’s 32-yard field goal attempt narrowly missed, ricocheting off the right upright and keeping the Eagles’ lead at 13-7 at the break.

Cuyahoga Heights seized momentum in the third quarter as Devon Dzik powered his way to a 22-yard touchdown run, and the successful extra point gave the Red Wolves their first lead of the night, 14-13.

The game intensified in the fourth quarter. Cuyahoga Heights quarterback Zach Shaffer extended the Red Wolves’ advantage with a 5-yard keeper, pushing the score to 21-13 with just over four minutes to play. Refusing to back down, Warren JFK mounted a last-ditch drive, culminating in Fred Bolchalk’s 2-yard touchdown run with only 40 seconds left on the clock. However, the Eagles’ attempt at a game-tying two-point conversion fell just inches short, sealing their fate.

The loss ended the Eagles’ impressive season at 10-3, capping a run marked by resilience, big plays, and a never-say-die attitude. The Red Wolves (8-4) advance to the OHSAA Regional Championship, where they will face the Hillsdale Falcons (12-1) at a neutral site.

Despite the outcome, Warren JFK can hold their heads high for their tenacity and achievements throughout the season. The team and coaching staff have much to be proud of as they look toward the future.

EAGLES STUMBLE IN DEFENSIVE BOUT

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BOARDMAN OH- Valley Christian’s legendary 2022 season came to an end this past Friday night. They took the field for the final time against a familiar postseason opponent in Cuyahoga Heights who eliminated them last season as well. Valley would be without their top running back in Ja’Sean Lindsey and they struggled to move the ball without their workhorse on the field. Phillip Spradley and Jon’Trell Mixon put together the biggest plays of the day, but the offense struggled to find a rhythm throwing the ball on a windy night in Boardman. The normally potent deep ball was nowhere to be found as well as instead of a Gurley touchdown it led to multiple interceptions that forced Valley to run the football for most of the night. The offense got into scoring position on each of their final three drives of the game, but two fumbles and an interception closed their season out.

 

The defense of Valley Christian would only give up points on two drives and played a phenomenal game. They allowed a Red Wolves touchdown on the first drive of the game as the Heights had a short field and caught the defense off guard with a long play-action pass and then a short yardage run punched the ball in the endzone. Then later in the game the Heights would score again on a long field goal. Maybe the only downside for the defense this week was that they were unable to get a big turnover of their own to flip momentum. But, after the opening drive Cuyahoga Heights could not move the ball against this Valley defense and in the final quarter they played the best they have all season long and gave their offense ample opportunity to find a game winning touchdown.

 

While Valley’s season came to an end in a 10-6 loss to Cuyahoga Heights, Head Coach Andy Hake was proud of his boys and when I asked him about his final thoughts for the season, he left me with this. “My boys kicked butt to the very end.” The War Eagles may not be playing next week, but this team will never be forgotten. They leave with the first ever undefeated season in school history, the first conference title in over a decade, the first playoff win in a decade, and their first Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference championship ever. This was a season to remember for America’s team. Congratulations to all of the War Eagles that fought to the very end this season!

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna

JFK PUTS ON A SHOW

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WARREN OH- In their last home game of the season, Warren JFK gave their hometown crowd a show to remember. Their offense exploded in a 62-28 rout of Cuyahoga Heights.

Caleb Hadley got the scoring started for the Eagles with a designed quarterback run. Then Antwan Brown entered the party. His first touchdown of the game gave the Eagles a 13-0 lead after a quarter of play. Things would only get worse for Cuyahoga Heights as the Eagles offense put their foot on the gas. Michael Mauro’s impressive 30 yard touchdown run left little doubt of the outcome. Mauro would later run another one in from over 50 yards out. Brown would score five touchdowns on the night. JFK’s offense has scored 119 points in their first 2 playoff games.

JFK advances to the Division 7 Region 25 semifinals against Norwalk St Paul. That game is slated for Saturday at a site TBD. Stay tuned to YSN for all updates concerning the OHSAA football playoffs.

EAGLES FALL JUST SHORT

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CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, OHIO. The Valley Christain Eagles traveled to nearby Cleveland to face off against Cuyahoga Heights in the first round of the division 7 playoffs.

Cuyahoga Heights came out strong taking advantage of some Valley Christain mistakes early on and went into halftime leading 10 to 0. Valley Christain who showed great energy in the first half but a couple of questionable penalties defeated their momentum. The eagles definitely came out firing in the second half including a touchdown drive on the first drive of the second half and a magnificent catch by wideout Veshun Gurley who lateralled the ball back to running back Cameron Johnson, who then proceded to take it into the endzone. The dominant defense of Valley Christain who were led by the likes of Jon’Trell Mixon and Jonqual Pabellon were unable to stop the rushing attack in the end by running back Ryan Krajewski, who rushed for 169 yards with 1 touchdown as Cuyahoga Heights defeated Valley Christain 16 to 13.

Cuyahoga Heights will now face off against the Warren JFK Eagles next week in the second round of the division 7 playoffs.

*Contributed by YSN’s Matt Morrison

Postgame interview with Andy Hake:

THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR THE EAGLES FALL TO THE REDSKINS

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RAVENNA, OH – In a week that was highly focused on the last two years, the Eagles were unable to execute against the region’s top team, the Cuyahoga Heights Redskins, 33-14, on the “Smurf turf.”

Cuyahoga Heights struck first on a 26 yard touchdown pass from Sam Shafer to Kyle Polack late in the first quarter. The Redskins struck again early in the second quarter on a 2 yard run by Shafer, making the score 13-0. Warren JFK didn’t wait long to get themselves on the board, as Jesse Likens took a handoff and dashed 60 yards to the endzone, cutting the Redskins’ lead to 13-7. Cuyahoga Heights then took their next offensive play 73 yards on a pass completion from Shafer to Jason Bartosik. The Eagles proceeded to create their own drive as they marched down the field and cut the lead to 20-14, on a 26 yard touchdown pass from Christian Marantis to Savone Williamson. Cuyahoga Heights punched it in one last time in the first half on a 1 yard run by Shafer, making the score at the end of the first half, 26-14 in favor of the Redskins.

The second half was uneventful in terms of scoring except for a 55 yard touchdown pass from Kyle Polack to Jason Bartosik on a fake punt early in the third quarter. That pushed the score to 33-14, where it stayed until the end of the game.

Warren JFK was led through the air by Christian Marantis with 6 completions on 18 attempts for 74 yards and 1 touchdowns. The Eagles were led on the ground by Jesse Likens with 30 carries for 221 yards and 1 touchdown. Warren JFK’s top receivers were Savone Williamson with 2 reception for 34 yards and 1 touchdown, Gabe Green with 2 reception for 25 yards, and Cameron Hollobaugh with 2 reception for 15 yards. The Eagles were on defense by Giovanni Coletti with 8.5 tackles and Jesse Likens with 5 tackles.

With the loss tonight, the Warren JFK Eagles closed out their 2019 football season with a final record of 8-4.

Cuyahoga Heights Redskins – Box Score Report – 11_17_2019