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Steven Fakult’s two touchdown passes to Grant Kaminski power a big fourth quarter for the Knights
Game Summary
Nordonia trailed for most of Friday’s game before rallying past Hudson 23–9 in a Suburban League matchup. The Knights entered the fourth quarter down 9–7 and outscored the Explorers 16 to 0 over the final period to seal the win.
Hudson controlled much of the early going. The Explorers scored on a 21 yard run from Reno Ferri late in the second quarter, then added a safety early in the third when a punt snap sailed out of the end zone.
Nordonia answered before the third quarter ended. Quarterback Steven Fakult connected with Grant Kaminski on a 27 yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 9–7.
The Knights took control from there. Fakult found Kaminski again on a 61 yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, and a two point conversion pass to Kaminski put Nordonia ahead 15–9. Fakult capped the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown run, and another two point conversion pass to Kaminski made it 23–9.
Offensive Performance
CJ Mayes paced the Nordonia ground game with 107 yards on 14 carries. Braden Myers, John Koran and Shawn Zivkovich each added carries as the Knights finished with 180 rushing yards on 39 attempts.
Fakult completed 13 of 25 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Kaminski was his top target, finishing with four catches for 94 yards and both scores. Dominick Jackson added five receptions for 53 yards.
Nordonia’s total offense reached 343 yards, well ahead of Hudson’s 272. Hudson leaned heavily on Reno Ferri, who rushed 31 times for 146 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Benjamin Hegedish completed 8 of 14 passes for 69 yards, and Anthony Paolucci led Hudson’s receivers with 52 yards on four catches.
Turnovers and Penalties
Nordonia’s defense forced three interceptions, two by Brock Barwidi and one by Braden Myers. Those takeaways kept Hudson out of the end zone for most of the night despite the Explorers gaining 272 total yards.
Fakult threw one interception, Nordonia’s only turnover of the game. Hudson finished with 14 first downs to Nordonia’s 12, though the takeaway advantage proved decisive.
Penalties were close to even. Nordonia was flagged six times for 45 yards, and Hudson was penalized six times for 50 yards.
Scoring Summary
Hudson opened the scoring in the second quarter on Ferri’s 21 yard touchdown run, and Xavior Pallo’s extra point made it 7–0. The Explorers added a safety in the third quarter after a bad punt snap went out of the end zone, extending the lead to 9–0.
Nordonia responded late in the third. Fakult’s 27 yard touchdown pass to Kaminski, followed by Jackson Neal’s extra point, cut the score to 9–7.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Knights. Fakult’s 61 yard touchdown pass to Kaminski and a two point conversion pass to Kaminski put Nordonia ahead 15–9, and Fakult’s 6 yard touchdown run with another two point conversion pass to Kaminski closed out the scoring at 23–9.
Looking Ahead
Nordonia improves to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Suburban League National Division play. The Knights host North Royalton on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. at Boliantz Stadium for Youth Football Night.
