On a night when the rain, the mud, and the Tornadoes defense held the Shoremen offense in check for most of the game, Avon Lake's defense pitched a much-needed shutout to down Tiffin Columbian 14-0. Neither offense could get anything going early as Tiffin punted on its first two possessions, and the Avon Lake did the same on their first series. But the Shoremen made a couple of first downs after Tiffin's second punt, and then Mike Tift lofted a 38 yard bomb to Trey Stross for a first down at the Tornadoes seven yard line. Bobby Doyle powered in for the score on the next play, and Johnny Lyons added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Tornadoes put together a nice drive into Shoremen territory, but it ended when QB Greg Kiser lobbed a pass toward the end zone trying to tie the score. Andrew Means went up high and intercepted the ball at the four to end that threat. The Shoremen made a two first downs to move out of the shadow of their goal line. But Tiffin intercepted a Tift pass at the A.L. 36 and it looked like they would threaten again. Mike Urbin made sure the Tornadoes couldn't convert the turnover into a score, as he picked off a third down pass in his first game back on defense. After a punt, The tornadoes got as far as the Shoremen 21, but a field goal attempt came up short and the half ended with the score still 7-0.

Andrew Means returned the second half kickoff to the T.C. 44, but three straight incompletions led to a punt. After each team punted once more, a pass interference call against Avon Lake made it first down Tiffin at the Shoremen 31. A fourth down conversion gave the Tornadoes a first down at the twenty early in the fourth. But a first down sack was followed by two incompletions and on fourth and 15, Andrew Means picked off a Kaiser pass in the end zone. After converting two straight third and five situations, Coach Dlugosz decided to gambled on fourth and one from the Tiffin 46. Tift's quarterback sneak gave the Shoremen a first down at he 45. From there, Doyle took a handoff off from Tift, ran over one defender, and sprinted in for the touchdown to pretty well ice the game. The Tornadoes had to punt with four minutes to go, and the Shoremen ran out the clock to win the Region 6 crown for the second year in a row.

Notes:

  • The victory extends the Shoremen's school record and state best winning streak to 28 games.
  • Bobby Doyle scored two more TD's, running his 2004 season total to 39 after 13 games. Bobby finished with 168 yards rushing on 29 carries, giving him 2,384 yards on the year.
  • The Shoremen defense continued its dominant postseason performance. The "D" has allowed only 16 points in the three playoff games. Their three interceptions tonight give them a total of eight since the playoffs started.
  • Trey Stross had three catches for 60 yards, passing the 1,000 yard mark for the year. His season totals now are 50 catches for 1,006 yards.
  • Andrew Means now has four interceptions in the Shoremen's three playoff games.

(Home)

(Photos)

 

Avon Lake

7

0

0

7

14

Tiffin Columbian

0

0

0

0

0

 

 

 

Tiffin Columbian

 

Avon Lake

First downs

 

9

 

12

Rush Yds

 

113

 

175

Pass Yds

 

27

 

85

Passes att-comp-int

 

19-4-3

 

19-8-1

Fumbles-lost

 

1-0

 

2-0

Penalties

 

0-0

 

5-48

 

 

 

 

 

AL -- Doyle 7 run (Lyons kick)
AL -- Doyle 45 run (Lyons kick)