Chardon OH- The Chardon Hilltoppers would finally see their home crowd, hosting the (2-0) Avon Lake Shoreman in a week 3 matchup.
The Hilltoppers would begin their night on offense infront of a stellar crowd at Chardon Memorial Stadium. The Chardon defensive line proved unpenitriable all night. A flurry of Hilltoppers swallowed up Jake Bova, setting up fourth & short. Leo Colombi continued his strong start with a pass break-up as Alex Affolter tried to find his reciever to convert on fourth down. Chardon's next offensive possession ended in a punt, giving Avon Lake possesion late in the first quarter. A scoreless first quarter is how things opened tonight. A series of punts and turnovers on downs saw the opening period come to a close tied at 0.
The Hilltoppers would get the ball back, this time finding the endzone. Will Francis scored on a QB keeper, shedding a tackle and scoring on a five yard touchdown run.
Avon Lake's first offensive snap following the touchdown, Alex Affolter connected with Carter Birk for an 86-yard touchdown reception, knotting this one up immediately. With the score even at 7-7, both teams suffered from first quarter deja vu, trading punts. Finally, Vinny Colombi would lead the Chardon offense down to the endzone. A number of runs to the outside took the Hilltoppers from their own 36-yard line, down to the 4-yard line in 48 seconds. Vinny Colombi would hit paydirt for his first touchdown of the night, diving for the goal line, breaking the plain and giving the Hilltoppers a 14-7 heading into halftime.
Avon Lake would cut into the Chardon lead to start the 3rd quarter. Braden Maruna came away with a pass break-up on 3rd down, forcing a Ian Walsh 27-yarder. Walsh drilled it, bringing the score to 14-10. The Hilltoppers would answer, but with a touchdown. Chardon didnt back down, driving the ball down the field, and eventually Vinny Colombi would find the endzone again, putting the Hilltoppers on top 21-10. Both Avon Lake and Chardon exchanged punts, ending the 3rd quarter with the Hilltoppers leading 21-10. The Shoreman would start the final quarter of play from the Topper 16-yard line.
The Topper defense would play a big role to start the 4th, backing the Shoreman up and putting them behind the sticks. Affolter took a shot at the endzone, with the pass falling in complete. Thy brought on Ian Walsh for another field goal. Walsh would miss it wide left, giving Chardon the ball from their 30-yard line. It took one play, Will Francis with a house call from 70-yards out, blowing the lid off this one.
Andrew Bruce would lead the Topper defense on the Shoremans next possession. A sack, and ending the drive with an interception. With 2 minutes left, Chardon would punt it away. Avon Lake would run the clock out, putting an end to this one, the Chardon Hilltoppers drown the Avon Lake Shoreman 28-10 in their home opener.
CHARDON STATS:
AJ Bruce: 1 SCK 1 INT
Will Francis: 17 ATT 179 YDS 2 TD
Vinny Colombi: 15 ATT 123 YDS 2 TD
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