Knights Finish Regular Season 9-1 Behind Two Return Touchdowns and Three Interceptions
Nordonia closed its regular season Friday night with a 42-33 road win over Wadsworth. The Knights scored 28 points in the second half to rally from a 20-14 halftime deficit.
The victory was Nordonia’s sixth straight. It also leaves the Knights at 9-1 heading into the playoffs.
Game Summary
Wadsworth controlled much of the stat sheet. The Grizzlies piled up 422 total yards and 23 first downs, compared to 273.5 yards and 10 first downs for Nordonia.
Nordonia won with big plays and timely defense. Brock Barwidi took a punt back 77 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Dominick Jackson later delivered the decisive blow with a 78 yard kickoff return.
That return came just 11 seconds after Wadsworth cut the lead to 35-33. Brysen Hall had hit Kyle Schmeitzer on an 84 yard touchdown pass with 6:07 left. Jackson answered on the ensuing kickoff, and the Nordonia defense kept the Grizzlies off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Wadsworth led 14-7 after one quarter on two short touchdown runs by Braydan Todd. The teams traded scores in the second quarter. Hall found Jay’len King for a 7 yard touchdown with six seconds left before halftime, but Nordonia blocked the extra point.
The Knights took control after the break. Shawn Zivkovich broke a 28 yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the third quarter to give Nordonia a 21-20 lead. Steven Fakult added a 20 yard scoring run late in the quarter.
Offensive Performance
Nordonia ran for 130.5 yards on 28 carries. CJ Mayes led the way with 44 yards on 13 attempts, including a 17 yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Fakult added 42 yards on nine carries. Zivkovich made the most of two touches, gaining 30 yards. Braden Myers chipped in 10 yards on two carries.
Through the air, Nordonia completed 10 of 19 passes for 143 yards. Collin Atha was the leading receiver with 63 yards.
Wadsworth’s Hall completed 20 of 41 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Schmeitzer caught passes for 146 yards. Todd ran for 93 yards and two scores.
Turnovers and Penalties
The Nordonia defense intercepted Wadsworth three times. The Knights threw one interception. Each team fumbled once, but neither lost the ball.
Penalties were a problem for Nordonia. The Knights were flagged 14 times for 119 yards. Wadsworth drew 10 penalties for 62.5 yards, and five of the Grizzlies’ first downs came by penalty.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- 6:29: Braydan Todd, 1 yard run. Kick good. Nordonia 0, Wadsworth 7.
- 3:43: Brock Barwidi, 77 yard punt return. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 7, Wadsworth 7.
- 0:58: Braydan Todd, 4 yard run. Kick good. Nordonia 7, Wadsworth 14.
Second Quarter
- 6:14: Dominick Jackson, 2.5 yard run. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 14, Wadsworth 14.
- 0:06: Hall to King, 7 yard pass. Kick blocked. Nordonia 14, Wadsworth 20.
Third Quarter
- 9:49: Shawn Zivkovich, 28 yard run. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 21, Wadsworth 20.
- 1:49: Steven Fakult, 20 yard run. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 28, Wadsworth 20.
Fourth Quarter
- 11:14: Hall to King, 14 yard pass. Two point conversion failed. Nordonia 28, Wadsworth 26.
- 10:38: CJ Mayes, 17 yard run. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 35, Wadsworth 26.
- 6:07: Hall to Schmeitzer, 84 yard pass. Braxton Wagner kick good. Nordonia 35, Wadsworth 33.
- 5:56: Dominick Jackson, 78 yard kickoff return. Jackson Neal kick good. Nordonia 42, Wadsworth 33.
Looking Ahead
Nordonia (9-1) now turns to the Division II, Region 5 playoffs. The OHSAA will release official seeds and pairings this weekend. Nordonia’s next opponent, date and kickoff time will be set once the bracket is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Nordonia vs. Wadsworth football game?
Nordonia beat Wadsworth 42-33 on the road on Friday, Oct. 23.
2. What is Nordonia’s final regular season record?
The Knights finished the regular season 9-1, with their only loss coming against Highland.
3. How did Nordonia beat Wadsworth?
Nordonia scored two special teams touchdowns, a 77 yard punt return by Brock Barwidi and a 78 yard kickoff return by Dominick Jackson. The defense also intercepted Wadsworth three times.
4. Who scored the go-ahead touchdown for Nordonia?
Shawn Zivkovich gave Nordonia a 21-20 lead with a 28 yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Knights never trailed again.
5. Who is Nordonia’s football coach?
Scott Barwidi is in his first season as head coach of the Knights.
