Kenston gets emotional about win over Chagrin
Tears were shed at Bomber Stadium on Friday after Kenston's 28-17 victory over Chagrin Falls.
They weren't shed by the Tigers, who had their 20-game regular-season winning streak snapped.
The tears belonged to some of the members of the Bombers. They were tears of elation, according to first-year Kenston coach Jeff Grubich.
Kenston's victory over Chagrin Falls snapped a four-game losing streak to Chagrin Falls on the varsity level. But Grubich explained the drought extended further for many of the Kenston players, none of whom played in a 19-15 win over Chagrin Falls in 2008, when this year's seniors were in junior high.
"Some of these guys hadn't beaten Chagrin since they were in third or fourth grade," Grubich said. "Some of the seniors were in tears. It made me realize how special this rivalry is."
As a 1996 graduate of Chagrin Falls, Grubich was in on his share of Kenston-Chagrin slugfests.
"And when you're on the wrong side of it, it hurts," he said.
The sting is gone right now, he said, and his team spent the weekend with their heads held high.
"But it's just one (win)," Grubich said. "They were still on cloud nine this weekend, but they realize they have to focus on their next opponent.
Kenston (3-2) plays Orange this week. It will do so while in a unique situation — the Bombers control their destiny in the CVC Chagrin Division and have a solid standing in the Division II, Region 5 playoff picture.
If the Bombers win out, they will be Chagrin Division champs. West Geauga is the other 2-0 team in the division.
Five straight wins would almost assuredly clinch a playoff berth, too. According to joeeitel.com, Kenston is fifth in the Division II, Region 5 rankings.
The Bombers have rebounded nicely since starting the season 0-2 against Hudson (4-1) and Chardon (5-0). They lost the games by a combined four points.
"I don't think we necessarily needed to win a close game," Grubich said. "But it's nice to be on the right side of the scoreboard in one of those."