Chardon dominated North and earned a 56-0 Western Reserve Conference victory as a Week 10 showdown with Riverside awaits.
Chardon dominated North and earned a 56-0 Western Reserve Conference victory as a Week 10 showdown with Riverside awaits.
The Hilltoppers (6-3, 3-1 WRC) did not take North lightly in what could have potentially been considered a trap game.
Instead, it was North (3-6, 1-3 WRC) who will have nightmares from the Friday the 13th shutout.
On the Ranger’s first possession, North head coach Shawn Dodd called for a fake punt on fourth down, which North converted. With the ball just over midfield, they could not do anything with it, as Chardon senior AJ Bruce picked off a Zach Rummel pass to end North’s only threat of the night.
The pick was one of four turnovers for the Rangers.
Late in the first quarter, junior Caleb Hewitt got the Toppers on the scoreboard with an 11-yard touchdown run to open up the scoring.
Bruce would take it in from 3-yards out early in the second quarter to extend the lead to 14-0.
For the Penn commit, the game marked the first time in his career that he had a pick and scored a touchdown.
“I’m starting to feel it and we’re getting hot at the right time as a team,” said Bruce. “This was a great game going into Riverside. North is a quality opponent and we executed top-notch. We probably committed too many penalties, but we’ll clean it up this week.”
Chardon head coach Mitch Hewitt said Bruce injured his ankle in Week 1 against West Geauga and was an issue for most of the season.
“I think he’s starting to get healthy,” said coach Hewitt. “We limited him a little bit over the past few weeks, but were at the right place at the right time.”
On the Ranger’s ensuing possession, a fumble on their own 20 was recovered by senior Maddox Cianciebello and returned to the 1-yard line.
Senior Drago Vujaklija made the Rangers pay for their miscue by taking a handoff into the endzone. The Toppers went for two and converted to make it 22-0.
With 50 seconds left before halftime, Hewitt ripped off a 17-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep and Bruce punched in the two-point conversion to give Chardon a 30-0 halftime lead and a running clock to start the third quarter.
On Chardon’s second play of the third quarter, Bruce broke off his longest run of the season, a 76-yard touchdown run. The PAT was no good and the Toppers were in control 36-0
He led all rushers with 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 carries, plus the 2-point conversion.
The Rangers next possession ended with a turnover, as Hewitt picked off Rummel. Hewitt made the Rangers pay with a 54-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 43-0.
He finished the night with 95 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 5 carries. He also caught a pass.
The Hilltoppers second and third string units once again got playing time and once again delivered results.
In the fourth quarter, the Hilltoppers scored twice more – on runs by sophomore Drayton Allgood and junior Kevin Manary.
“Last week against Mayfield our twos came in and punched in a long touchdown and our defense stopped their ones,” said Bruce. “It’s crazy, our twos show we have a lot of depth.”
“I’m very pleased with top to bottom program-wise,” coach Hewitt said. These guys work hard all week long and it’s good to see some of these guys who don’t get to see a lot of Friday night lights get some these past few weeks.”
He added that the starters go against a really good scout defense and then that scout defense comes out and shuts down opponents.
“It’s helped us and it’s frustrating during the week because they don’t make every play look good, but it prepares us well for Friday nights,” added coach Hewitt.
“It’s fun to see everyone score and it’s fun to see the JV kids get in,” Vujaklija said. “The number of different guys who got the ball and succeed was great.”
Chardon senior QB Will Francis played only the first half and rushed for 92 yards on 9 carries. He was also was 2-of-4 passing for 13 yards.
Defensively, Ciancibello recorded had six tackles – 4 solo and 2 tackles for losses – to go along with his recovered fumble.
The Hilltoppers outgained North 468-54 and won the turnover battle 4-0.
“It all begins with our defense; we’re playing Hilltopper defense, got a ton of weapons on offense and the kicking game can still improve in my opinion,” said coach Hewitt.
Chardon was penalized 7 times for 60 yards.
“It’s frustrating,” coach Hewitt said. “It’s a lack of urgency, a lack of focus. We gotta take better care of the snaps with the quarterback exchange and have to clean up a lot of things if we want to beat Riverside next Friday.”
The win against North was the Toppers third straight blowout since losing at home to Kenston in Week 6.
“The momentum we create from the last two wins and this weeks game will drive us through practice next week,” said Vujaklija.
“It’s what I thought this team had all along,” said coach Hewitt. “We played a very front-loaded schedule against a lot of great teams and we had some bumps along the way, but I think that’s made us stronger throughout the hole process.”
With momentum on their side, the Hilltoppers now turn their attention to a 8-1 (3-1 WRC) Riverside Beaver squad.
“We’re going to have to play a great game to upset them,” coach Hewitt said. “They’re superior at every position. They’re the team to beat. There’s a reason why they’re a preseason favorite to win the conference. We’ll have to play a really, really clean and fundamentally sound game to win.”
“I think next week will be a battle,” Bruce added. “This place will be packed. They’re going to bring a lot of juice and we’re going to bring a lot of juice. It will be one of the best games in Ohio.”
