SOME SURPRISES INSIDE THE NUMBERS

By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer

Sunday, September 14, 2014

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS – Considering that Hudson scored five of its seven touchdowns on passes in Friday nights 48-14 non-conference victory over the Bees, a look inside the game statistics show that it was the Explorers ground game that was effective in its own right. The running of junior Joe Charpentier and senior Dean Miller was the behind-the-scenes unheralded effort that played a key role in the Explorers big win.

Hudson (3-0) averaged 6.2 yards per carry on the ground. That is a tribute to its offensive line. In 28 totes they amassed 174 yards. The fact that they only scored one rushing touchdown, a 2-yard jaunt to the pylon by Charpentier in the second quarter, was definitely overshadowed by its impressive 10 for 17 for 215 yards and five touchdown performance through the air.

The Explorers, with a Division I player at quarterback in Mitch Guadagni, must have seen something that they could exploit with their ground game. The fact that is was so effective made Guadagni that much more lethal. He was versatile, operating out of several different formations and efficient.

Bees Are Bottled-Up

Brecksville-Broadview Heights (2-1) could get very little going against the quick and physical Hudson defense. It managed 81 yards on 21 rushes (3.9). After scoring its first nine touchdowns this season on passes the Bees finally notched a rushing TD when sophomore quarterback Luke Strnad ran 36 yards on what appeared to be a quarterback draw in the fourth quarter.

Through the air Strnad, in his second consecutive varsity start, went 12 for 23 for 153 yards. His third quarter 31-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Tyler Tupa got the Bees on the board. Strnad was intercepted twice. One of them was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by Charpentier.

Overall Brecksville had 234 yards of total offense to Hudson’s 389. That 155-yard difference was actually closer, relatively speaking, than the final score.

The fact that the Bees had trouble moving the ball was evidenced by picking up only two first downs on the ground. That was a big reason why they had to punt the ball away seven times. The Explorers capitalized on good field position on four of those kicks in the first half en route to a 42-0 halftime lead.

Considering the offensive onslaught Hudson, out of the Northeast Ohio Conference, picked up only 11 first downs. Six of them came through the air, and when they counted.

The game was penalty marred. There was a total of 17 penalties accepted. Hudson had ten of those (-84 yards). The Bees were set back seven times for 55.

Bees By The Numbers

Strnad was the Bees leading ground gainer for the second straight week. He kept the ball 11 times for 55 yards. Josh Underwood, a junior running back, carried the pigskin seven times for 14. Sophomore Joey McGonegal picked up 17 on a pair of attempts late in the game. Brecksville will have to find a way to create holes for Underwood in order to sustain drives and take the pressure off Strnad.

Tupa had five catches for 87 yards and a TD. Senior WR Garrett Patterson hauled in a trio of Strnad aerials for 31. Versatile senior Jared Schott added a pair for 43 yards. And junior Danny Shirilla made a 12-yard catch in the second half.

The Bees defense was led by senior linebackers Joe Dimitrijevs and Joe Mandato who each had seven tackles. Dimitrijevs intercepted Guadagni in the first frame. McGonegal also had seven stops as did junior defensive end Ryder Seballos. Five of McGonegals’ hits were of the solo variety. He paced the squad in that category.

Senior defensive lineman Jon Linden registered a half dozen tackles. Sophomore DE Victor Bierman was in on five, including a sack.

 

NEXT UP:

The Bees will look to regroup and prepare to take on Southwestern Conference rival Olmsted Falls (1-2) this week. Kick off for the league opener is at 7:00 this Friday at Community Stadium. Please visit the website Monday night for a preview of that game.

 

See You At The Bee Hive!

To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.

Follow the Lady Bees volleyball team on-line at:  beesvolleyball.com.

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