Fakult throws five touchdown passes as Nordonia turns its attention to Akron East on Fall Sports Senior Night
The Scott Barwidi era could not have started much better. Nordonia jumped on St. Vincent-St. Mary early and never looked back Friday night, rolling to a 49 to 7 win on the road in Akron. By the end of the first quarter, the Knights already led 28 to 0.
Quarterback Fakult was the story of the night. He threw for 358 yards and five touchdowns, spreading the ball around to four different receivers instead of leaning on just one target. Atha did most of the damage, hauling in two scores and finishing with 151 receiving yards, but Barwidi, Fisher and Jackson each found the end zone too.
A Fast Start Puts the Game Away
Nordonia scored on four of its first five possessions and gave St. Vincent-St. Mary almost no room to breathe. Zivkovich punched in a one yard touchdown run to make it 28 to 0 before the Fighting Irish had even run 15 offensive plays. Two more touchdown passes before halftime pushed the lead to 42 to 0 at the break, and the outcome was essentially decided before the teams reached the locker room.
Mayes added to the rout early in the third quarter with a 35 yard touchdown run. St. Vincent-St. Mary avoided the shutout in the fourth quarter when Adamson connected with Reynolds for a score, but by then it was well beyond reach.
By the Numbers
The stat sheet backed up what the scoreboard showed. Nordonia piled up 540 total yards to St. Vincent-St. Mary’s 263, running for 182 yards on 25 carries behind Fakult’s team high 61 rushing yards while also completing 17 of 20 passes through the air. Penalties were the one blemish, as the Knights were flagged 12 times for 121 yards. On the other side, Avery led St. Vincent-St. Mary with 18 rushing yards, and Alcorn paced their receivers with 72 yards.
It marked the second straight lopsided win for Nordonia over the Fighting Irish, who fell 42 to 0 in last year’s meeting.
Looking Ahead to Akron East
There is no time to celebrate. Nordonia is back home Friday, Aug. 28 to host Akron East for Fall Sports Senior Night at Nordonia H.S. Boliantz Stadium, and this matchup carries a very different weight. The Dragons won the Akron City Series championship last season, finished 10 and 3 overall, and have made the playoffs in six straight years under head coach Marques Hayes, who is entering his 15th season at the helm. East also added transfer Marcus Council Jr. this offseason, a two way playmaker who spent his junior year starring at Streetsboro.
If Friday’s opener showed what this Nordonia offense can do against a rebuilding opponent, next week will show how it holds up against one of the area’s most established programs.
Spots are still open for businesses looking to sponsor Nordonia’s fall season. See what’s included in the 2026 Fall Sports Sponsorship, now covering four sports. A portion of the proceeds go to Nordonia Athletic Boosters.
FAQs
What was the final score of the Nordonia and St. Vincent-St. Mary game?
Nordonia won 49 to 7.
Who led Nordonia in passing?
Fakult threw for 358 yards and five touchdowns.
Who led Nordonia in receiving?
Atha caught passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Who is Nordonia’s next opponent?
Nordonia hosts Akron East on Friday, Aug. 28 for Fall Sports Senior Night.
What is Akron East’s recent history?
Akron East won last year’s Akron City Series championship and finished 10 and 3 overall under longtime head coach Marques Hayes.
