Keyed by a tough, physical defense and big plays, Kenston spoiled Chardon’s homecoming night by knocking off the Hilltoppers 31-21 in the Battle of Geauga County.
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Keyed by a tough, physical defense and big plays, Kenston spoiled Chardon’s homecoming night by knocking off the Hilltoppers 31-21 in the Battle of Geauga County.
Coming off a lopsided 49-14 loss to Lake Catholic the week before, the Bombers wanted to make a statement and show the other teams in the Western Reserve Conference that Kenston (4-1, 1-0 WRC) will have a say in the conference title.
“This week we felt like the underdog, especially after last week’s game,” Kenston quarterback Lucas Kaltenbach said. “We felt like we had nothing to lose. Since they wanted to play us for homecoming, it just fueled the fire.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Toppers got on the board first. A three-yard touchdown run by AJ Bruce gave Chardon a 7-0 lead.
With 4:03 to go before halftime, left tackle Sean Doyle picked up a Sean Patrick fumble in the end zone for Kenston’s first score of the game to tie the game at 7.
A 22-yard Caleb Hewitt touchdown run gave the Hilltoppers a 14-7 lead with 40 seconds left before halftime, and it appeared Chardon (3-3, 0-1 WRC) would have an opportunity to get a two-for-one since they were going to receive the ball to start the third.
However, Charline Thompson returned the ensuing kickoff back to the Topper 40-yard line, and the big play sparked the Bomber’s offense.
“I caught it and was way outside of the hashes,” Thompson said. “I got back into the wedge and saw the holes my blockers opened up and took off. They set me up perfectly, and I just ran.”
The return was one of several big plays Thompson made – on defense and special teams alike.
“Charlie is one of our captains, and he works he tail off in practice every day,” Grubich said. “When he got his opportunities, he took advantage.”
“That return was huge for us,” Kaltenbach said. “Instead of having to go 65 yards, we only need to go 40.”
For Chardon Head Coach Mitch Hewitt, the return was another example of how his team has struggled to execute in all phases of the game.
“We can’t put it together, can’t executive on all phases, and if you’re playing good teams you lose,” he said.
About 21 seconds after Thompson’s return, Patrick ran it in from 23 yards out to tie the game.
“After the return, our offensive coaches wanted to put some bodies on the ground and go after it,” Grubich said. “With the playmakers we got and Lucas at quarterback, you’ve got to take advantage of that. Chardon overcommitted on the pass, and we took advantage of it.”
Thompson’s kickoff return was one of several big plays on the night that helped propel Kenston to victory.
Midway though the third, the Bombers trailed 21-14.
When Chardon quarterback Will Francis had trouble with a snap, Kenston’s Ashton Kolenic picked up the lose ball and took it to the house for a touchdown. Kolenic got into the backfield so fast, he nearly took the ball from Francis’s hands. Instead, the senior linebacker scooped up the lose ball and found paydirt.
“It was insane,” Thompson said. “Kolenic saw the ball pop up, nailed the quarterback and brought it back. That was a game-changer.”
Said Grubich: “We talked to the outside linebackers all week that they were going to have opportunities to make big plays, and that was one of them.”
Added Kaltenbach: “On the drive before, we had a touchdown called back, and we were disappointed that we couldn’t get seven on the board. Our defense stepped up big-time and got those points back.”
That fumble recover proved to be the momentum turner.
“That score changed the momentum and gave us the confidence,” Thompson said.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Lucas Kaltenbach connected with Dylan Krupp for a 51-yard touchdown reception to give the Bombers a 28-21 lead they would not relinquish.
A late field goal by Grady Kucharson capped off the scoring.
Chardon racked up 311 total yards of offense, including 255 on the ground. However, the Toppers turned the ball over five times – a fumble, two interceptions, and twice on downs.
Caleb paced Chardon with 88 yards and a touchdown.
For Chardon, the game was a lost opportunity. Coach Hewitt pointed to the mistakes.
“It’s a broken record, where our schedule does not allow for us to make self-inflected mistakes like we did,” he said. “That’s a good football team, and I think we have a good football team, but we’re missing something from a discipline standpoint.
“It’s penalties and blown assignments that everyone sitting in the stands has no idea, and if you know, you’d be even more mad.”
Besides mistakes, Coach Hewitt is also concerned about a lack of leadership.
“We need a little bite in this dog,” he said. “We have 30 seniors, and they need to have a little more urgency, because it’s a team that might not make the playoffs – and they’re pretty good.”
The Bombers were limited to 235 yards of offense, but made the most of those yards.
Kaltenbach threw for 126 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s growing up, he’s maturing,” said Grubich of his quarterback. “The kid has worked his butt off. His performance last week was not who he is, and he proved that tonight. He’s only going to get better.”
Patrick was the top Bomber rusher, gaining 88 yards and one score.
Despite the win, Grubich was not pleased with his defense.
“We gave up too many big plays,” he said. “We had guys not fit in the first half where they were supposed to be, so we have to be more consistent. If we get the same consistent effort and read our keys, we can be better.
“The kids see the film on the sideline, go in and make the adjustments, and that’s what I’m most proud of – these kids are coachable and execute afterwards.”
By defeating Chardon, the Bombers snapped a six-game losing streak against their rivals.
“Every team I lose to Chardon, I take it personally; it’s an edge you have to have,” Grubich said. “It’s good to get this win against a well-coached team.”
“This win feels great,” Kaltenbach said. “We look at this like a turning point. Everyone felt like we were going to win this game because of the week of practice we had.”
Now, with a marquee win under their belt, the Bombers must avoid falling into a trap game against Mayfield before they face Riverside in week 8.
“We’re focusing on one week at a time,” Thompson said.
Added Kaltenbach: “We made the mistake, after our big win over VASJ, of looking ahead to Chardon and had the worst week of practice with no energy. That loss showed we can’t take anyone lightly. We’re playing Mayfield next and will not worry about Riverside until after the Mayfield game.”
