Short-handed Greenmen fall short against Tallmadge 24-14
AURORA, OH- Week 3 of Friday took me to Veteran’s Stadium in Aurora where the Greenmen played host to a former Suburban League rival in the Tallmadge Blue Devils. Tallmadge made the move to the Metro Athletic Conference this season. The Greenmen have dominated the season series over the last decade. Aurora came into the game down three key offensive players including star RB/WR Luke McGovern. The Blue Devils would take advantage of a short-handed Greenmen squad and take home a 24-14 win.
Tallmadge wasted no time as they scored on the first play from scrimmage when sophomore quarterback Chase Waller hit Brenden Conley over the middle for a 78-yard scoring strike. The PAT put the Blue Devils up 7-0 only 17 seconds into the game.
After each side was held to a 4th down punt, Aurora was able to move the ball into Blue Devils territory before coming up a yard short on 4th and 2 turning the ball over to Tallmadge on downs. The Greenmen defense was able to hold Tallmadge to a three and out to get the ball right back.
This time they would get into the scoring column. Quarterback Matthew Huth completed two big 3rd down conversions, a 14-yard pass to Parker Abbuhl on 3rd and 11 as well as a 16-yard run on 3rd and 10. He would hit Luke Hilditch on a big 32-yard pass play before taking a QB keeper 24 yards for the touchdown. The PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 9:03 to play in the half.
Matthew Huth scores from 24 yards out for the Aurora touchdown
The next three possessions would end in punts before Aurora had the ball with 1:02 to play in the half. On the first play Huth threw a deep ball down the sideline that was picked off by the Blue Devils Brenden Conley who returned it 50 yards to the Greenmen 10-yard line. Two plays later Waller and Conley connected again for a score with 36 seconds to play. The PAT gave Tallmadge a 14-7 lead.
Aurora would start at their 41-yard line with less than 30 seconds to play in the half. A Huth 8-yard run and a late hit penalty moved them into Blue Devils territory. Huth then hit Graham Walton for a 20-yard pass play down to the Blue Devils 16-yard line. The Greenmen were unable to find the end zone before the half as they trailed Tallmadge 14-7 at the break.
Aurora would come out aggressive to start the 3rd. They went on a 9 play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a Huth 37-yard run. On 3rd and goal from the 16, Huth would complete a quick hitter to Hilditch who took it in for the score. The PAT tied this one at 14-14 early in the 3rd.
Luke Hilditch with a 16 yard TD reception for Aurora in the 3rd
The rest of the quarter was scoreless as we headed to the 4th tied at 14-14.
Tallmadge would strike quick in the 4th. Following a Waller to Gavin Stewart 17-yard pass play, Angelo Gotto took a run up the middle 44 yards to the house for the score. The PAT put Tallmadge back on top 21-14.
Aurora would miss on a critical 4th and 1 play losing a yard and turning it over to Tallmadge at the Greenmen 40-yard line. The Blue Devils would move the ball into the red zone before settling for a Ben Bucur 29-yard field goal to make it a 24-14 game with 2:21 to play sealing the win for Tallmadge.
Luke Hilditch was solid in the loss for Aurora catching 5 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown He also picked up 7 tackles on defense. His effort earned him the R&S Landscaping & Excavating Player of the Game. Matthew Huth completed 13/23 for 169 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Tallmadge quarterback Chase Waller was impressive completing 11 of 16 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Greenmen will try to bounce back on Thursday when they travel to face 3-0 Mayfield on a short week.
