Knights Tame the Tigers (VIDEOS)

View more pictures from HOMECOMING: https://photos.garvas.org/homecoming-court-2022?fpciidx=12 

View more pictures from the GAME: https://photos.garvas.org/twinsburg-2022

Nordonia football (5-0) continued their undefeated tear through their 2022 campaign with a thorough and complete win over the visiting Twinsburg Tigers (1-4).  On Homecoming weekend, the Knights used their entire stable of talent, seeing 7 different ball carriers, 6 separate receivers caught balls, and watching no less than 18 players get credit for a tackle.

It was an overall dominance by the Knights defense this week, forcing Twinsburg into 6 turnovers and holding the Tigers to only 110 yards through the air and 40 yards rushing.  With the energy of the festive crowd urging them on, the defense was led by Logan Villamagna and his 7 tackles—3 for a loss—and one sack.  Two players recorded interceptions for the Knights, Ryan Atha snagging his in the 3^rd quarter and Dylan Werden picking off Twinsburg quarterback CJ Lyden on the last play of the game.

After a relatively quiet first half that saw Nordonia head to the locker room with a 14-3 lead that seemed like it could have been more, the Knights came onto the field in the third quarter and took less than 3 minutes to hang a 4-yard touchdown catch by Devin Tufts on the scoreboard.  It would be the first of two touchdown connections between QB Joey Palinkas and Tufts in the quarter.   In the Tigers 4 offensive series in the 3^rd quarter, the defense forced Twinsburg into two fumbles, the first recovered by Brenden Hermensky and the second by Jeremy Olszko, and adding Atha’s interception.

Looking into the intangibles, the Knights offensive line opened enough holes in the Twinsburg defense to help 3 different ball carriers amass 121 of their 141 yards.  Pass protection was also stout, allowing the Tigers only 1 sack.  The offense was efficient to the point that Nordonia was never forced to punt the ball.  Connell Rafferty went a perfect 3 for 3 on extra point attempts.

Next week the Knights will face off against the Grizzlies of Wadsworth.