Nordonia’s quest for postseason success continues tonight when the Knights host powerhouse Wadsworth in a crucial Suburban League National Conference matchup at Boliantz Stadium.
The 6-1 Knights enter tonight’s Youth Football and Middle School Band Night showdown looking to hand the 7-0 Grizzlies their first loss of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Nordonia is coming off a nail-biting 35-33 victory over Twinsburg on Oct. 3, improving their conference record to 3-1 and keeping them firmly in the playoff hunt. The Knights have been impressive this season, with blowout wins over Mayfield (59-46), Solon (48-14) and Brecksville-Broadview Heights (23-13). Their only setback came against North Royalton in a 48-39 shootout on Sept. 26.
Wadsworth presents a formidable challenge. The Grizzlies are rolling through opponents with an average margin of victory exceeding 30 points. Most recently, they defeated Hudson 35-17 on Oct. 3 to remain unbeaten.
The Grizzlies offense is powered by a dominant rushing attack featuring running backs Cooper Gray and Gavin Madigan. Gray has accumulated 610 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 61 carries this season, while Madigan has added 521 yards and eight scores. Quarterback Brysen Hall has been efficient through the air, completing 68 of 104 passes for 1,458 yards and 17 touchdowns. Wide receiver Calix Lemp is his favorite target with 24 catches for 640 yards and nine touchdowns.
For Nordonia to pull off the upset, the Knights will need to contain Wadsworth’s explosive offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities. The home crowd at Boliantz Stadium will be crucial as the Knights look to defend their turf against the conference’s top team.
Both teams are fighting for position in the OHSAA Division II playoffs, making tonight’s game critical for postseason seeding. Wadsworth is currently ranked third in the conference standings, while Nordonia sits in solid playoff position with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
