The Hilltoppers played one of their most complete games of the season Oct. 20 to defeat Riverside 24-16 in a Western Reserve Conference matchup.
The Hilltoppers played one of their most complete games of the season Oct. 20 to defeat Riverside 24-16 in a Western Reserve Conference matchup.
Chardon’s win, coupled with a loss by Akron East, gave the Toppers enough points to claim the seventh seed in Division III Region 9.
The Hilltoppers will host Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) in the first round of the playoffs at Chardon Memorial Field.
In this victory over neighborhood rival Riverside (8-2, 3-2 WRC), Chardon’s defense simply dominated the Beavers, while the offense effectively moved the football and the special teams unit made big plays.
“We have a championship-caliber defense,” Chardon Head Coach Mitch Hewitt said. “When we look at stats from 2020 and 2021, we’re right there — and in fact, we’re a little bit more explosive offensively.”
“Our defense did an amazing job flying to the ball,” senior linebacker Alexander Ash said. “It all comes down to physicality and aggressiveness on every single play.”
“It was a great effort, and we were just trying to contain a great quarterback and let our defensive backs do what they do,” senior defensive lineman Austin Leszynski added.
Chardon (7-3, 4-1 WRC) jumped onto the scoreboard on its first drive.
Facing a fourth and three, senior quarterback Will Francis handed the ball off to AJ Bruce, who ran the jet sweep around the near side and turned on the burners for a 43-yard touchdown run.
“You call players, not plays,” Coach Hewitt said. “All week long, we talked about going for it on fourth down. We moved the ball (in practice) all over the field so they could mentally prepare themselves for going for it.
“When your kids know the agenda, they are more prepared for the moment.:
Bruce led all rushers with 103 yards and one touchdown.
“Coach called my number and I have to deliver,” he said.
After injuring his ankle in Week 1 against West Geauga, Bruce feels it is getting better – and his play proves it.
Junior fullback Vinny Colombia capped off a drive midway in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run. The PAT was no good, and Chardon led 13-0.
With 7:22 to play before halftime, Chardon had out-gained Riverside 126 to -4 yards.
“It’s what we’ve known we had,” Coach Hewitt said of his team’s defense performance.
Playing against such an explosive defense, Leszynski felt the early scores took some pressure off of the defense, allowing it to play loose.
Riverside’s opening drive the first half ended with a Bruce interception. This marked the second straight game Bruce recorded both a touchdown and pick.
“I saw the quarterback scramble and had a receiver in front of me who was my responsibility,” Bruce said. “The quarterback shifted his eyes behind me, and I thought that if I could fit into that window, I could make a huge play. He threw the ball and I picked it.”
The interception eventually led to a Sam Sacerich 22-yard field goal that made the score 16-0.
Riverside answered back midway through the third, as Mikey Maloney scrambled 11 yards to his left for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, and the Beavers cut their deficit in half 16-8.
Maloney finished the night with 56 rushing yards and 138 yards through the air. Overall, the Beavers were held to 215 total yards of offense.
“He’s a great athlete,” Ash said of Maloney. “I was spying on him, and our game plan was to contain him and not let him get outside.”
In the fourth quarter, senior Caleb Schuetzman got his hand on a pooch punt by Maloney. The block paid off as Colombia made the Beavers pay with a one-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 24-8.
“It was critical,” Coach Hewitt said of the drive. “We ran some clock off, and we know we can’t give those guys much time because they’re so explosive and dangerous.”
Late in the fourth quarter, Maloney found Dez Kirks for a touchdown reception. The ensuing two-point conversion was good, and Riverside cut the lead down to 24-16.
But on the ensuing onside kick, senior Drago Vujaklija jumped on a bouncing ball, and Chardon took a knee to seal the win.
“It was a big win,” Ash said, “and it’s a good feeling to hopefully be hosting Week 11 here next week.”
The Toppers made sure this Senior Night it was a night to remember.
“My mom wouldn’t stop crying (during Senior Night festivities), and I had to wipe my tears,” Bruce said. “This is an amazing feeling, and our seniors deserve it because we’ve worked our behinds off the whole season.”
“We’re ready to go,” Coach Hewitt said, “and we’re peaking at the right time.”
