Nordonia’s Jordan Mabin (27) runs for some of his nearly 300 yards in Friday's game against Olmsted Falls. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Sparks flies, but Bulldogs fall to Nordonia
By Matt Pawlikowski
Sports
Published Nov. 15, 2006

In the movie “The Replacements,” Gene Hackman, who plays coach Jimmy McGintey, of the Washington Generals is asked at halftime what his team needed to do to win the ballgame, despite being back against the wall.

His reply was; Heart, we need heart, as he referred to quarterback Shane Falco.                     

Dave Pellerite (left ) looks like Rodin’s “The Thinker” after he ponders his thoughts following Olmsted Falls 23-14 loss to Nordonia.

Friday night Jim Ryan found himself in a similar situation, and as been the case all season, that heart came via the name Tyler Sparks.

After Olmsted Falls found itself down 17-0 with 4:17 left until halftime, The senior signal caller, aka Mr. Excitement, went to work. Faced with third and seven play, Sparks found Dave Pellerite for a 44 yard scoring strike.

“That’s how we play, we never give up,’’ said Sparks. “We didn’t give up this game, we didn’t give up last game, and we ended up winning that one. It’s just the attitude we have as a team, we don’t give up.”

On the night, Sparks was 17 of 35 passing for 215 yards. Pellerite was just as impressive; nabbing six Sparks passes on the night for 114 yards, but in the end, Falls lost 23-19

That never say die attitude Sparks spoke about, was evident on the very next series, as the defense which held Nordonia to just 13 first downs, and 29 yards passing, held the Knights on the next series, pinning them deep in their own territory.

Nordonia punter Zach Boedicker, who was pinned in his end zone, shanked the kick, and ‘Falls took over in good position.  But unlike against Maple Heights, where they capitalized on each big play, this time the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize, as Nordonia stood firm, holding Olmsted Falls to a three and out.

Sparks said the team didn’t make any adjustments at half. But they sure came out fired up, and although Nordonia was able to build its lead to 20-17, Nordonia’s Jordan Mabin, who rushed for 273 yards and two touchdowns, was held to just 70 yards the final two quarters, and Olmsted Falls led in ball possession.

With 10:20 left in the fourth quarter, Falls would strike again, sending many of the 4,500 fans into a frenzy. This time, Sparks needed just 3:06 of the clock, but covered 74 yards. Faced with a third and nine from midfield, Sparks, as he has been all year, was magical, hitting Shane Smith down the right sideline for a 47-yard strike.

Opportunity seemed to be on the Bulldogs side again, when Nordonia was flagged with a penalty, and the Bulldogs kicking off from the Knights 40 yard line. Many thought an onside kick would be the perfect game changer, but Bulldog coach Jim Ryan and his staff elected not to go for it, with good reason. 

“Yes, that is always a consideration, when you get a kickoff from the 45 yard line,’’ Ryan said. “But with eight and a half minutes left on the board, we felt our defense was playing well, and if we hold them in three, they are punting into the wind, and we get the ball back on the 50 yard line. So we thought there five minutes we would have done it.”

Up to that point, the defense was playing extremely well, and momentum seemed to favor the Bulldogs, as the only points allowed was a 23 yard field goal.

“We knew they would be a physical team coming in, but I knew we could move the ball on them,’’ said Mabin. “So it was getting close for a little bit, but I wasn’t really worried.”

Mabin may not have been worried, but he should have been, considering what Omsted Falls did a year ago to Amherst, despite seeing Alex Knipp rush for 375 yards against them.  His teammates must have took notice to his confidence, as on the next series, the Knights converted three first downs, and drove 52 yards on ten plays to set up the game winning field goal, a 33 yarder.

Even then, there was not a point where the Bulldog players believed they could not win the game.

“Our defense and offense picked it up, and we just played as a team and worked hard,’ said defensive tackle Addison Sedlay. “We love that team concept, if one person falls, you pick them up, and that is just what we do. Like we did last year against Amherst.”

Aaron Schlecter echoed his sentiments.

“It was a ride,’’ said Schlecter. “We didn’t think coming in here that we would be as good as we were, but we just took it, and we ran with it, and all great things have to come to an end. We thought we were in it the whole game, but their team just outplayed us, I personally think.”

Olmsted Falls finishes its year with a 10-2 slate.

“Give Olmsted Falls credit, what a scrappy group,” said Nordonia coach Keith Boedicker. “Coach Ryan does a great job. We knew it was going to be a war, and it was just that.”