Nordonia’s ground game and opportunistic defense overwhelm visiting Irish in season opener
MACEDONIA, Ohio – The Nordonia Knights made a statement in their season opener Firday night, dismantling St. Vincent-St. Mary 42-0 in a performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive dominance at Boliantz Stadium.
The Knights controlled every facet of the game, outgaining the Irish 394-174 in total yards while forcing four turnovers in what became a masterclass in complementary football.
Ground Game Sets the Tone
Nordonia’s rushing attack, led by senior Montiel’s 55 yards on eight carries, churned out 255 yards on 33 attempts – a robust 7.73 yards per carry that kept the Irish defense on its heels all evening. The balanced ground attack featured eight different ball carriers, with Fakult adding 44 yards and a touchdown, while Whapham contributed 42 yards and found the end zone from six yards out.
Fakult Orchestrates Balanced Attack
Junior quarterback Fakult put together an efficient night through the air, completing 8 of 30 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns. His 18-yard strike to Jackson opened the scoring 7:04 into the first quarter, setting the tone for what would become a methodical beatdown.
Fakult found his favorite target in Atha, who hauled in two receptions for 40 yards, while Fisher made the most of his lone catch – a 34-yard touchdown reception that helped blow the game open in the second quarter.
Defense Forces Chaos
While the offense controlled the line of scrimmage, Nordonia’s defense created havoc, intercepting two passes and recovering two fumbles. The most spectacular defensive play came in the fourth quarter when Elerick returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown, capping the scoring and triggering the running clock.
The Knights held St. Vincent-St. Mary to just 82 rushing yards on 16 carries, with Nicholson leading the Irish ground game with 48 yards on seven attempts.
Special Teams Excellence
Kicker Edgehouse provided the perfect complement to the offensive and defensive dominance, connecting on field goals of 38 and 49 yards while converting all five of his extra point attempts. His 49-yarder in the third quarter demonstrated both leg strength and accuracy that could prove crucial in tighter contests ahead.
By the Numbers
The statistical domination told the story of a team ready to make noise in their conference. Nordonia’s 15 first downs dwarfed St. Vincent-St. Mary’s nine, while the Knights converted their opportunities into points with ruthless efficiency. Perhaps most impressively, Nordonia committed zero turnovers while forcing four – the kind of turnover margin that typically predicts blowout victories.
Building on Playoff Success
This dominant performance represents a continuation of Nordonia’s recent upward trajectory. The Knights made a strong playoff run in 2024, defeating Solon 38-6 and Green 42-17 before falling to Archbishop Hoban 13-48 in the regional semifinals. That playoff experience, combined with Thursday night’s comprehensive victory, suggests a program that has learned how to sustain success.
The Knights’ 2024 campaign showcased their ability to peak at the right time, and this season opener demonstrates they haven’t lost that momentum. The balanced offensive attack that served them well in their playoff victories – featuring multiple rushing threats and efficient passing – was on full display against the Irish.
A Rebuilding Challenge for St. Vincent-St. Mary
Thursday night’s shutout loss highlighted the rebuilding challenge facing St. Vincent-St. Mary. The Irish struggled throughout the 2024 season, suffering significant losses to teams like Benedictine (39-8), Villa Angela-St. Joseph (37-13), and Ursuline (37-7). The four turnovers and inability to generate consistent offense against Nordonia’s defense reflect ongoing systemic issues that date back to last season.
For the Irish, this opener serves as a stark reminder of the work ahead. The program, which has produced NFL talent in years past, is clearly in a developmental phase as they work to rebuild their competitive foundation. Meanwhile, Nordonia continues to build on its own tradition of developing elite talent, including current Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, demonstrating the program’s ability to compete at the highest levels when firing on all cylinders.
Looking Ahead
This wasn’t just a season opener – it was validation of Nordonia’s growth as a program. The Knights appear to have established a winning culture that translates from season to season, with the kind of depth and system execution that typically indicates sustained success.
For St. Vincent-St. Mary, the challenge becomes using this difficult opener as a catalyst for improvement rather than allowing it to define their season. The Irish must quickly address ball security issues and find ways to generate more consistent offensive production if they hope to compete in their challenging schedule.
The Road Ahead: Reality Check Time
While Thursday night’s dominance was impressive, the Knights’ coaching staff knows this was just the opening act. The weekend’s results from their upcoming opponents provide important context for what lies ahead.
Mayfield opened their season Friday night with a victory over Elyria, showing they’ve already shaken off any early-season rust and found their rhythm. This means Nordonia will face a Wildcats team that has already been tested in game conditions when they travel to Mayfield on September 5th. Under veteran coach Ross Bandiera, Mayfield has consistently been a program that can compete with quality opponents and has a history of state semifinal appearances.
Next up for Nordonia is Akron East on August 29th, followed by that road trip to Mayfield – two opponents that will provide a much sterner test than St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The Knights’ impressive statistical performance against St. Vincent-St. Mary – 394 total yards, zero turnovers, and 42 points – will mean little if they can’t maintain that level against opponents with more talent and better preparation. The challenge for Nordonia will be proving that their balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense can perform consistently against teams that won’t hand them short fields through turnovers.
For the Knights to build on their 2024 success and make a deeper playoff run, they’ll need to prove their system can adapt when opponents force them out of their comfort zone. The next two weeks will reveal whether this was a statement victory or simply the product of facing an overmatched opponent at the perfect time.
Final Score: Nordonia 42, St. Vincent-St. Mary 0
