The community showed up for the Wadsworth Grizzlies versus Nordonia Knights game on Friday, September 29th, 2023. The stands were filled and filled with fans ready to see their Knights take on the Grizzlies. It was a big night for Nordonia as it was safe decisions week, homecoming, and Fox 8’s game of the week. Everyone also got a surprise at halftime, as Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett showed up to watch the second half. The Knights might have lost to the Grizzlies with a final score of 55-14, but both teams had an amazing time playing in Nordonia’s homecoming game and playing in front of Myles Garrett.
Notable performances came from quarterback Ben Chesser who had 13 for 21, 202 yards, 2 touchdowns passing, and 1 interception, running back Rocco DeLorenzo with 28 rushes for 106 yards, and wide receiver Israel Petite who had 8 receptions for 178 yards, and 2 touchdowns for the Knights.
The Knights went scoreless in the 1st quarter of the game. There was a pass from Ben Chesser who completed the pass to Sam Collins for 21 yards, resulting in a 1st down for the Knights. The first touchdown of the game came from Wadsworth’s Will Stack and Kyle Figuray, when Stack’s pass was completed to Figuray for 24 yards to the Nordonia end zone with 8 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the game. But, it didn’t stop there. Wadsworth’s Kyle Figuray rushed 24 yards to the Nordonia endzone, resulting in the first touchdown with 5 minutes and 2 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter. The first quarter ended with a final score of 14-0.
The second quarter looked better for the Knights, as they came on with an undefeated record and gave Wadsworth the impression that they didn’t want to ruin it. With 8 minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the first half of the game, Ben Chesser completed a pass to Israel Petite for 35 yards resulting in a first down for the Knights. But, the Chesser and Petite duo did not stop there. With 6 minutes and 47 seconds remaining in the first half, Ben Chesser’s pass was completed to Israel Petite for 24 yards, allowing for the Knights first touchdown of the game with a score of 21-6.
Some of the biggest surprises at the game came just before halftime. With only 56 seconds remaining in the first half, Ben Chesser’s pass was then again completed to Israel Petite for 35 yards, resulting in the Knight’s second touchdown of the game. Connell Rafferty’s kick was then deemed good; with a final score at the half of 28-14 Wadsworth.
As it already was the traditional homecoming game and safe decisions week at Nordonia High School, Fox 8 and Channel 19 News made an appearance at the game on Friday, September 29. But, it was also Fox 8’s game of the week and we had an appearance from Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett was meeting with the players and football alumni, as well as fans at the game that wanted to take pictures with him. It was a huge surprise to see Myles at Nordonia High School, and we loved every second of it.
The 3rd quarter for the Knights was once again full of silence. Ben Chesser attempted a pass to Mike Ebert which was intercepted by Wadsworth’s Gavin Madigan, earning Chesser’s only interception of the game. On the Wadsworth side, Will Stack rushed 1 yard to the Nordonia endzone, resulting in a touchdown for the Grizzlies with 34 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter. The second touchdown of the 3rd quarter also came from the Wadsworth Grizzlies at the end of the 3rd quarter, when Gavin Madigan returned for 23 yards, resulting in a final score of after 3, 42-14.
The 4th quarter of the game was filled with disappointment for the Knights, as they went scoreless in the 4th. Wadsworth had struck for the last time, with a touchdown from Will Stack with a rush for 20 yards, allowing another Wadsworth touchdown. With 1 minute and 8 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, Wadsworth’s Cooper Gray rushed for 45 yards allowing the last touchdown of the game. Ben Chesser made a completed pass to Israel Petite for a 1st down, and Chesser then made another completed pass to Sam Collins for 7 yards. But, that is all we heard from the Knights in the 4th quarter. The final of the game was 55-14.
As this was a disappointing loss for the Knights, we are very proud of them going 6-0 for the 1st half of the season. It was an incredible thing to watch, and they’re not done yet. The Knights hope to bounce back against the Hudson Explorers next Friday. The game will take place at Hudson Memorial Stadium in Hudson, OH on Friday, October 6th at 7:00 pm. This is the 2nd to last away game of the regular season.
Click here for the Homecoming Pictures by Jeff Garvas
Click here for more Pictures by Jeff Garvas
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