EFFICIENTLY EFFECTIVE

 

STAT STORIES FROM LAKEWOOD

By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer

Sunday morning, October 19, 2014

BRECKSVILLE – All told the Bees 34-18 non-conference victory at Lakewood Friday night was a textbook study of a team that was both efficient and effective in all facets of the game. Offensively, defensively and on special teams, Brecksville-Broadview Heights performed at a quality level in its cross-over clash at First Federal Lakewood Stadium.

Add in a dose of class. When Brecksville called off the swarm with a 34-3 lead in the fourth quarter the Bees were able to hold their heads high when they boarded the buses on Bunts Road for the ride home.

Special Night For Special Teams

Victor Bierman’s blocked punt, which he officially returned 45 yards for a touchdown that gave Brecksville a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter, was a game-changing play.

That was preceded by Aaron Livermore’s recovery of a Lakewood fumble on the kick off after the Bees first touchdown. Excellent lane-integrity and Livermore’s alertness to make a play when the opportunity presented itself helped propel the guests to its second touchdown of the first quarter.

Those two capitalization’s on Ranger miscues forced the hosts to play from behind the remainder of the game, despite taking an early 3-0 lead.

Brecksville (7-1, 4-0 Southwestern Conference) is 4-0 on the road this season. All four triumphs away from the Bee Hive have been claimed in impressive fashion.

Overall the game stats were fairly even. The Bees ran 47 plays. The Rangers 48. Brecksville totaled 267 yards of offense. Lakewood posted 245. It is fair to say that probably half of the Rangers total yards came late in the fourth quarter, after the game had been decided.

Who Are These Guys?

The Bees were able to run the ball. In fact they had more rushing attempts (29) than pass attempts (18). That is a significant story line. They picked up six of their 11 total first downs on the ground and went over the century mark with 102 yards rushing.

Sophomore quarterback Luke Strnad carried the pigskin a dozen times for 58 yards and scored the teams lone rushing touchdown on a 3-yard run up the middle in the second stanza.

Through the air Strnad was 12 of 18 for 165 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Tyler Tupa, a junior wide receiver, led the way with six catches for 116 yards. He scored Brecksville’s first touchdown (46 yards in the first quarter) and last (32 yards early in the third).

Senior WR Garrett Patterson made a trio of grabs for 24 yards. His 9-yard snag for a TD in the opening frame made Livermore’s fumble recovery pay dividends. Niall Lewison and Danny Shirilla, a pair of juniors, also caught passes. Senior kicker Jakob Nypaver was four-of-five on extra point attempts, which were on par with his season average.

Rangers Run The Ball

Lakewood (2-6, 0-4 West Shore Conference) was able to run the ball as well. Brecksville figured that would be its game plan coming in. And they did it effectively on the games opening possession, which ended on a 27-yard field goal. But when the Bees went up 21-3 the Rangers were forced to go to the air. And that is where they were challenged.

Three different quarterbacks completed only four of 16 passes for 83 yards. Lakewood did rack-up 162 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Other than its first drive, the majority of those yards came in the final frame when the contest had long been decided. They only managed five first downs, due largely in part by the play of Brecksville’s active defense.

The game was clean as far as the penalty flag goes. Tupa was consistent in the punting department where he averaged 42 yards on four kicks.

Swarm And Attack

Senior linebacker Joe Dimitrijevs, who carried the ball a handful of times on offense, led Beeville with ten total tackles. He was joined atop the leader board by Lewison, a corner back who also had ten, including two for a loss.

Mason Mackovjak and Ryan Lambert, both seniors, were in on seven stops. Tackle Eddie Sternad registered a tackle for a loss.

Lambert, Bierman and tackle Evan Baschko recorded sacks. Baschko, a senior who is playing football for the first time, also broke-up a pair of passes. Bierman had an incredible night. In addition to his blocked punt for a touchdown he broke-up a pass and was credited with a quarterback hurry.

The Bees were able to apply pressure all night and their starters were able to contain the Rangers two speed merchants in the offensive backfield; Michael Johnston and Michael Goolsby. Brecksville had four total hurries and three sacks. Tupa intercepted a pass.

In The End

Brecksville did what it had to do. They went to a stadium where it had not previously played and came back with a solid 16-point win. The Bees didn’t get caught in the trap of looking ahead to this Friday’s Southwestern Conference first-place Senior Night showdown with Berea-Midpark (7-1, 5-0). Their ability to focus on one game at a time has put them in the position to play for a league title. That was the teams goal back in August.

 

Next story: Monday night there will be a preview the Bees SWC headliner with the Titans.

 

See You At The Bee Hive!

To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.

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

 – 30 –