Chagrin recovers from flat start
Don't blame Chagrin Falls for being downright defensive about it.
The Tigers, coming off last week's big win against defending state champion Aurora, had to summon all their defensive prowess to hold off visiting Chagrin Valley Conference rival Kenston, 20-13, on Friday night at Harris Field.
If Chagrin Falls (5-0, 2-0) thought its lofty No. 3 ranking in Division IV would intimidate the Bombers, that notion was put to rest from the outset as Kenston (3-2, 1-1) took an early lead. But after that shaky start, the Tigers showed their mettle by nearly shutting down Kenston's offense the rest of the night.
"We came out flat," said Chagrin senior defensive end Connor Clegg, whose 6-5 size came in handy in batting down several Kenston passes. "I think it was kind of a reality check - more of an attitude adjustment."
It took awhile before that set in as the Bombers wasted no time asserting themselves, moving an efficient 71 yards in 14 plays to open the game. Senior quarterback Kyle Weninger capped the drive when he sneaked into the right corner of the end zone from 4 yards out.
Kenston could have increased its 7-0 lead.
On the first play of the second quarter, junior running back Pat Porter went untouched for an apparent 31-yard score off a well-executed screen pass. But the points came off the scoreboard because of a holding penalty and the ball went over on downs.
That turned out to be the boost the Tigers needed as their defense took over the rest of the night and the offense came through when it found an opportunity.
Held to 4 yards in the first quarter and bottled up on its first three possessions, Chagrin came to life when senior running back Chris Gorman ignited the drive with a 27-yard sprint to the Kenston 49. Quarterback Chris Trinetti connected for his only completion of the half, good for 13 yards to David Powers, and he followed with an 18-yard rollout to the Kenston 1.
Senior Bobby Winkelman got the call for the final yard and Gorman's extra point tied matters, 7-7, with 4:22 left in the half.
"That's our job to get the kids ready," said Chagrin coach Mark Iammarino, pleased his club came around. "[Kenston] came out prepared and did a great job. Hats off to our defensive job."
The numbers tell the story on that side as Kenston was held to 164 total yards, 27 in the second half. The Chagrin domination on that side of the ball allowed its offense to get a pair of 30-yard field goals from Gorman in the second half. In between, the Tigers took advantage of field position for a 44-yard scoring drive, Powers scoring on a 15-yard swing pass with 8:38 to play.
Trailing, 20-7, the Bombers took advantage of a botched Chagrin punt attempt to score with 45 seconds left, Porter going in from the 6. It was too little too late.
"We had one called back, but so did they," said Kenston coach Roger Vasey, referring to a Chagrin TD called back in the third quarter. "We could have gone up 14-0, but it's no excuse. Like a lot of young teams, we struggle with the ebb and flow of the game."
(RIGHT): Kenston’s Pat Behm, left, tries to stop Chagrin Falls’ Bobby Winkelman from crossing the goal line in the second quarter. Chagrin Falls won, 20-13. - (Tim Harrison, Special to The Plain Dealer)
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