TWINSBURG – Riley Edgehouse drilled a 25-yard field goal with 5:03 remaining, capping a dramatic fourth-quarter rally as the Nordonia Knights survived a thrilling 35-33 road victory over Twinsburg on Friday night.
The Knights (6-1, 3-1) overcame three turnovers and a 14-point first-quarter deficit to earn their most hard-fought victory of the season, showcasing the resilience that defines championship-caliber teams. The victory marked a strong response after last week’s 48-39 loss to North Royalton.
Twinsburg jumped out to a commanding 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, capitalizing on Nordonia’s early struggles. The Tigers struck first when running back Shorbert punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, then extended their advantage when quarterback Dylan Fantone connected on a 26-yard scoring strike.
The Knights found themselves in an unfamiliar position, trailing by two touchdowns on the road and struggling to establish offensive rhythm. But rather than fold, Nordonia responded with the kind of character that has defined their season.
The second quarter belonged entirely to the Knights, who erupted for 21 points while erasing the deficit and seizing momentum. Dominick Jackson provided the spark with a spectacular 67-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that electrified the Nordonia sideline and cut the deficit to 14-7.
Connor Whapham, who finished with a game-high 143 yards on 22 carries, broke through for a 17-yard touchdown run that pulled Nordonia within 20-14. Steven Fakult then connected with Davis on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give the Knights their first lead at 21-20 heading into halftime.
The third quarter featured defensive adjustments and field position battles, with Twinsburg reclaiming the lead on a 27-yard field goal to make it 23-21 heading into the decisive final period.
The fourth quarter became a showcase of clutch execution and high-stakes drama. Edgehouse opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal to put Nordonia ahead 24-23, but Twinsburg answered with a 40-yard field goal of their own to retake the lead at 26-24.
Fakult responded by keeping the ball himself, fighting through the Twinsburg defense for a 6-yard touchdown run that restored Nordonia’s advantage at 32-26. But the Tigers refused to surrender, with Shorbert powering in from 2 yards out to give Twinsburg a 33-32 lead with 7:14 remaining.
The stage was set for Edgehouse’s heroics. The Knights drove into field goal range, and with just over five minutes remaining, Edgehouse calmly stepped up and delivered the game-winning kick from 25 yards out.
Fakult finished 19-of-30 passing for 282 yards with one touchdown and one interception, overcoming early struggles to lead the offense when it mattered most. His 10 rushing attempts resulted in minus-24 yards due to sacks, but he found the end zone on a crucial fourth-quarter run.
Whapham’s 143-yard performance provided the ground game consistency Nordonia needed, with his 23-yard run representing the team’s longest rush of the night. The senior running back continues to be the offensive bellwether, controlling tempo and moving chains in critical situations.
Collin Atha led all Nordonia receivers with 77 yards, while Karsen Fisher hauled in three catches for 44 yards. The receiving corps provided Fakult with reliable targets throughout the night, helping the Knights accumulate 420 total yards of offense.
Edgehouse’s performance extended beyond the game-winning kick. The senior converted four extra points and both of his field goal attempts, accounting for eight of Nordonia’s 35 points. His consistency in pressure situations continues to be a weapon that opponents struggle to match.
The victory came despite Nordonia committing three turnovers – one interception and two lost fumbles – while Twinsburg played a clean game with zero giveaways. The Knights’ ability to overcome that minus-three turnover differential speaks to their defensive resilience and offensive explosiveness.
Nordonia outgained Twinsburg 420-299 in total yards, establishing dominance through the air with 282 passing yards compared to the Tigers’ 210. The Knights also controlled the ground game 138-89, though Twinsburg held a significant time of possession advantage.
The comeback victory represents the type of character-building win that can define seasons. Trailing by two touchdowns on the road, facing adversity with turnovers, and needing to make plays in the fourth quarter – the Knights passed every test Friday night.
Jackson’s kickoff return touchdown provided the momentum shift Nordonia desperately needed, showcasing the special teams excellence that has become a hallmark of this program. The 67-yard return demonstrated both speed and vision, giving the Knights belief they could erase the deficit.
For Twinsburg, the loss drops them to 4-3 on the season despite another strong performance from Fantone. The Tigers proved they can compete with quality opponents but couldn’t quite finish Friday night against a Knights team that refused to lose.
Nordonia now turns attention to next week’s showdown with undefeated Wadsworth, one of the most dominant teams in the region. The Grizzlies enter the matchup with a perfect record, having dismantled opponents by an average of 43 points per game. Most notably, Wadsworth shut out Twinsburg 39-0 on September 19, the same Tigers team that just pushed Nordonia to the final minutes.
The Grizzlies have been particularly dominant at home, where next week’s game will take place. Wadsworth has won 20 of their last 21 regular-season games against Ohio opponents and rolled through their schedule with victories over Barberton (55-7), New Albany (35-7), Medina (47-0), and North Royalton (48-14). The North Royalton result is particularly noteworthy, as the Bears handed Nordonia their only loss of the season 48-39.
Quarterback Brysen Hall and receiver Calix Lemp have formed one of the area’s most dangerous connections, with the duo hooking up for multiple touchdowns throughout the season. The Grizzlies’ defense has been equally impressive, posting shutouts and consistently limiting opponents’ offensive production.
The Knights’ ability to overcome adversity tonight – rallying from 14 points down while committing three turnovers – will be tested even further against a Wadsworth team that capitalizes on mistakes and rarely gives opponents second chances. Next week’s matchup represents the biggest challenge remaining on Nordonia’s regular-season schedule and will serve as a legitimate measuring stick for the Knights’ playoff aspirations.
Tonight’s victory, earned through grit and clutch execution, provides critical momentum heading into that showdown. The Knights demonstrated that championship teams find ways to win even when not playing their best football. Three turnovers should doom a road team, but Nordonia’s offensive balance, special teams excellence, and fourth-quarter composure proved too much for Twinsburg to overcome.
Final Score: Nordonia 35, Twinsburg 33
Next Up: Nordonia travels to Wadsworth on Friday, October 10, in another key Suburban League National Conference battle.
