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The Highland
Hornets used a balanced, diverse offense coupled with tough defense and great field
position to end the Shoremen’s 2008 season by a score of 35-23. A couple of first half TD bombs and a 63 yard
run by Highlands’s stud RB Chris Snook on the Hornets’ first possession of the
second half put Avon Lake in a hole that was just too deep for them to climb
out. The Shoremen fought hard all night,
and Pete Hart led the best passing attack of the year in the second half. Hart finished with 158 yards and a touchdown
throwing, and ran for another score and a couple of key first downs. Mike Mansnerus finished a great season with
160 yards on 28 carries.
Highland won the coin toss & elected to receive the
opening kickoff. After the Hornets
passed for a couple of first downs, Nick Marinkov dropped an attempted sweep
for a loss of five. On third down Nick,
Zach Murray, and James Lekan sacked Highland’s
QB and the Hornets punted the ball away.
The Shoremen managed one first down on the ground and punted it right
back. Again the teams exchanged punts,
with highland starting their third possession at their own 44. A sweep gained 26 to the Shoremen 31, and on the next
play Hornet QB Nick Knerem lofted a bomb for Kyle Callari down the left
side. Kevin Morissette had pretty good
coverage, but the stronger, taller receiver just went up over him & caught
the ball for a touchdown to make the score 7-0 with just seconds left in the
opening period. After a touchback on
the kickoff, Avon
Lake went three and out,
punting to midfield as the ball stayed in the Shoremen end of the field for
almost the entire first half. Highland drove to the 31,
but a penalty moved them back to the 36 and the Hornets punted again. After one more punt exchange, Knerem hit
Aaron Maslowski streaking down the right sideline for a 42 yard touchdown and a
14-0 lead. Starting from their 20, the
Shoremen faced 3rd & 8 when Hart threw a bubble screen to
Ryan Kirkpatrick for the first down. On third down from the 43, Steve Mares broke loose on a
counter & raced to the Highland
eight with just five seconds to go in the half.
After a couple of timeouts, Dan Ohlemacher nailed a 25 yard field goal
to make the halftime score 14-3.
After another
kickoff into the end zone, Avon Lake’s offense began to click, moving to the a first down at Highland’s
40. But the drive stalled there, and the
Hornets took over on downs at their 37.
Chris Snook took a handoff over the right side on the next play, broke
through the line untouched, and raced 63 yards to give Highland a 21-3 lead. After a Shoremen punt, Highland moved quickly down the field and
scored on a 20 yard run by Jarrod Swick and it was 28-3. Suddenly, for the first time this year, the
Shoremen vertical passing game came to life as Hart connected with tight end
Dan Schneider for 42 and 33 yards. Steve
Mares scored from the two and when the PAT was blocked the score stood at
28-9. This time it was the Hornets going
three and out, punting to the A.L. 35.
Mansnerus bounced a counter outside for a gain of 29, and a chop block
penalty on Highland
out the ball on the 21. Six plays later,
Hart scored on a one yard sneak and the score was 28-15. An onside kick attempt failed, giving Highland the ball at
midfield. The Hornets picked up a couple
first downs, and the Snook got away again, scoring from 25 yards out. The Shoremen again started at their 20, and
converted two straight fourth downs to move to their 44. On first down, Hart hit Kirkpatrick in stride
deep down the left sideline, and Ryan outran the DB’s for a 56 yard TD. After another failed onside kick, Highland ran out the
clock and the curtain came down on another season of Shoremen football.
Notes:
·
Mansnerus
finishes the year with over 1,750 yards in just 8 full games plus one drive
against Dover. What a bright spot it is for the Shoremen knowing he’ll be back
next year.
·
(Home) (Photos)
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Avon Lake
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0
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3
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6
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14
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23
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Highland
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7
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7
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14
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7
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35
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H
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A.L.
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First downs
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14
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16
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Rush Yds
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198
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264
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Pass Yds
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167
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158
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Passes att-comp-int
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10-15-0
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8-20-0
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Fumbles-lost
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0-0
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1-0
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Penalties
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7-57
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6-38
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H – Callari 31 pass from Knerem (Duale kick)
H – Maslowski 42 pass from Knerem (Duale kick)
AL – Ohlemacher 25 FG
H – Snook 63 run (Duale kick)
AL – Mares 2 run (kick blocked)
H – Swick 20 run (Duale kick)
AL – Hart 1 run (run failed)
H – Snook 25 run (Duale kick)
AL – Kirkpatrick 56 pass from Hart (Kirkpatrick pass from Hart)