Aggressive offense keeps Wadsworth undefeated at 8-0

Wadsworth sophomore quarterback Brysen Hall (16) prepares to run a play during the first quarter of action. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

MACEDONIA, Ohio - Wadsworth's high-powered offense made an appearance at Nordonia, scoring 41 points in the first half and easily securing a 62-21 victory in the Suburban League.

"Getting started, we started off hot, and that comes from a great week of preparation. I felt like our whole team was playing well," said Hall after that explosive first half.

In the opening quarter, Wadsworth would score the first points of the game with 8:50 left after a three-and-out first possession by Nordonia. Following that possession, they would drive to a 12-yard pass from Brysen Hall to Jack McNeil to go up 6-0 after a failed PAT. 

Following yet another unsuccessful drive by Nordonia, who struggled to advance the ball down the field, Wadsworth also failed to capitalize on their opportunity, resulting in a punt. Subsequently, Nordonia began deep within their own territory, ultimately leading to an interception thrown by quarterback Steven Fakult to Jude Haller. This turnover resulted in a 4-yard touchdown run by Gavin Madigan with 3:06 left in the quarter, leading 13-0.

Wadsworth running back Gavin Madigan scored one of his three touchdowns on the night. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The second quarter would be the Madigan and Lemp combination, as Wadsworth would begin to pick the Nordonia defense apart with their fast and uptempo offense. But would also see the Knights pass the fifty-yard line for the first time in the game. 

After a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Nordonia's Connor Whapham with 9:24 left to still trailing 7-13, Wadsworth would begin to air it out, with Calix Lemp scoring on a 35-yard touchdown reception with 7:10 to go in the half to go up 20-7.

Nordonia would find the endzone a short time later, deep in their own territory, Fakult would connect with Jamiere Davis for a 98-yard touchdown reception, trailing 14-20 with 5:22 on the clock. 

Wadsworth would score moments later when Hall connected with Jay'len King for a 57-yard touchdown reception, taking the lead at 27-14. Shortly thereafter, Connor Whapham would score from 13 yards out, narrowing the gap for the Knights to just one touchdown, trailing 27-21, which would mark the final points of the evening for the Knights. 

Nordonia's Connor Whamham runs down Wadsworth's Will Ries on a rushing attempt. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The last two scores of the half belong to Calix Lemp, a long 73-yard touchdown reception, and a 27-yard reception for his third and final touchdown of the night, and Hall's fifth passing touchdown for the half, with Nordonia attempting to add more points, but would come up short on a failed field goal attempt on a botched snap. 

Wadsworth would take a 20-point lead into halftime, leading 41-21.

The latter part of the game would be dominated by Wadsworth, who added a running clock following a rushing touchdown by Madigan with 10:27 remaining, bringing the score to 48-21, and another at the 7:10 mark of the quarter for his third touchdown of the evening.

"Yeah, we've jumped into our tempo package the last several weeks, and it's been really good for us," said Todd. 

That offensive dominance would lead the Grizzlies to an undefeated record both overall and in the Suburban League. "For sure, yeah, our game plan was to be explosive, we always want that we want to establish the run game cause it opens up the pass game, wanna come out start hard and physical," said Lemp.

Wadsworth wide receiver Calix Lemp in route to receiving his first touchdown of the game on a 35-yard pass from Brysen Hall. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Wadsworth's next challenge will be a matchup with Stow-Munroe Falls (2-6) following their defeat to North Royalton. Meanwhile, Nordonia will seek to recover against a Hudson (6-2) squad that defeated Brecksville 27-0.