Another week, another game! It’s hard to believe that we’re already in week 3 and into September football. It seems like it should’ve been the first game of the season; but football hasn’t changed since I left highschool because the season always flies by so quickly! Nordonia started their season with confidence and skill, and they keep showing it every time they step onto the field! The Knights walked away with a win from the Mayfield Wildcats, with a score of 35-14. With the win, the boys moved to 3-0 on the season.
The boys did not come to play in the first quarter against the Wildcats. The first 5 minutes of the game was filled with silence from both teams; until there was only 7 minutes and 53 seconds of the first quarter remaining. Both teams came out of the woodwork, making this a great first quarter for both the Knights and the Wildcats. The Knights made their first touchdown within the first four minutes of the game; allowing the score to be 6-0. But, Mayfield didn’t hold back either. Mayfield made their first touchdown of the game, allowing the game to be tied. But, the Knights had set their foot down with their opponent quite quickly. The boys second touchdown came from Israel Petite’s kick return for 84 yards led the Knights to their 2nd touchdown of the game. Lots of excitement for the first quarter at Mayfield High School on Friday night.
The Knights walked back onto the field for the second quarter of the game, hoping to maintain the momentum that they gained during the first quarter of the game. I can confirm they did, as Rocco DeLorenzo had an amazing second quarter. Rocco DeLorenzo had rushed first 3 yards, then once again for 4 yards. It helped the Knights get into the lead, as DeLorenzo had shared his momentum with Ben Chesser in the second quarter to complete the pass to Sam Collins for the touchdown. This wasn’t the only time Ben Chesser completed a pass for a touchdown, as at 5 minutes and 40 seconds, Chesser’s pass was completed to Danny Ours for 70 yards to make the touchdown.
As the Knights ran onto the field for the third quarter, I heard one of the coaches tell the team to lock it in. It seemed like they followed this advice perfectly, because the Knights did exactly that within the third quarter of the game. Rocco DeLorenzo rushed 11 yards with only 11 minutes and 32 seconds remaining of the game, earning the Knights a 1st down; their first. We had also heard again from Ben Chesser, who made a pass that was completed to Owen Smotek for 5 yards. This allowed the Knights to be set up for more success; as they did not back down. Brendan Hermensky made a pass to Israel Petite; which resulted in a touchdown. This wasn’t the first time we heard from this duo; as with 10 minutes and 5 seconds into the third quarter, Hermensky made another completed pass to Israel Petite for 61 yards for another touchdown. Connell Rafferty had made both field goal attempts that were deemed good, and was overall a great third quarter for the Knights. They walked away with determination for the final 12 minutes of the game, hoping they would close it out with another win.
Turns out, they would close it out with another win as Rocco DeLorenzo had rushed 45 yards, in order to make a touchdown with 9 minutes and 17 seconds remaining in the game. Rafferty’s field-goal was then attempted good; with the Knights walking away with a win from the Mayfield Wildcats with a final score of 35-14.
With an undefeated three weeks, the Knights have advanced to first in the conference overall and hope to keep the streak going against the Solon Comets. The Knights will return home at Nordonia High School at 7:00 pm at Boliantz Stadium on Friday, September 8th, 2023. We are so proud of their commitment this season as a community, and we cannot wait to see what the season holds for them.
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