Recent graduates from Geauga County high schools participated in the Senior Bowl June 17 at Mayfield High School’s Wildcat Stadium.
Game photos click here.
Recent graduates from Geauga County high schools participated in the Senior Bowl June 17 at Mayfield High School’s Wildcat Stadium.
In a very close game, the White Team defeated the Blue Team 23-20 on a game-winning field goal by West Geauga’s Joey Di Lalla.
“This week of practice was long, it was hot,” Di Lalla said. “I came prepared to work every day.
“I managed to come through with the game-winner.”
Players from Cardinal, Chagrin Falls, Chardon, Kenston and West Geauga participated with all-stars from Cuyahoga and Lake counties, and were divided into the two teams.
John Avalon, Zach Czako, JR Kochy, Chase Simak, Anthony Soltis, Mike Soltis and Austin Strever from Cardinal were part of the Blue Team roster. Also on the Blue Team was Chardon’s TJ Altman.
Recent graduates from Chagrin Falls, Kenston and West Geauga were part of the White Team’s roster. These included Max Moore from Chagrin Falls, Carson Gebeau and JP Germano from Kenston, and Joey Di Lalla, Lucas Sadler, Tory Stazonne and Danny Stewart from West Geauga.
Also playing for the White Team were Ramon Lescano, Gage Sullivan and Mason Rus from Kirtland.
The Blue Team took an early 13-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring first on a 79-yard touchdown reception from CeeJay Yarboro to Brandon Boyd. The Blue Team scored again later in the first quarter, also on a touchdown pass from Yarboro to Boyd.
Early in the second quarter, West Geauga’s Stewart led the Blue Team to a touchdown on a three-yard touchdown run, bringing the White Team to within six points at 13-7.
Near the end of the second quarter, the White Team took a 14-13 lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Kirtland’s Rus.
The game remained 14-13 until late in the third quarter, when Kenston’s Gebeau returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown to put the White Team up 20-13.
However, shortly after the interception return, the Blue Team scored on a 54-yard touchdown reception from Yarboro to Mikey Norwood with 1:26 left in the third quarter to tie the game at 20.
With just 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter, West Geauga’s Di Lalla made the 28-yard game-winning field goal. It had been set up by an excellent catch by Kirtland’s Rus, who was named the Senior Bowl MVP.
“It’s always fun to show up and play in these senior bowls and all-star games,” Rus said. “It’s fun to have a good time with those kids you have never met and play with the guys one last time.”
Geauga County all-stars contributed greatly to their teams’ performances on both offense and defense. West Geauga’s Stewart led the White Team with 66 yards passing, completing 7-14 passes; Kenston’s Germano ran three times for 18 yards; and Cardinal’s Czako gained 14 yards on four rushing attempts.
Defensively, Cardinal players Czako (six tackles), Simak (six tackles) and Kochy (two tackles) combined for 14 tackles for the Blue Team.
West Geauga’s Sadler and Kenston’s Germano combined for seven tackles (five and two, respectively) for the White Team.
“Practice was good; we worked hard and succeeded,” Sadler said. “It was fun. I had a lot of fun.”
