A FUN-FILLED NIGHT DESPITE THE LOSS

By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer

Saturday afternoon, October 25, 2014

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS – Although Mother Nature smiled, the football gods had other ideas on a Friday night of mixed emotions here at packed Community Stadium.

Berea-Midpark displayed its dominance early and often in a 52-37 victory over Brecksville-Broadview Heights. In the process the Titans claimed sole possession of the first Southwestern Conference football championship in school history.

The Bees loss, their first in SWC play this autumn and only the second overall, put a damper on Senior Night. But the atmosphere surrounding the big game found manifold ways of overshadowing a tough defeat.

Years from now the 15 Bee seniors whom will collect their sheepskins in June of 2015 will look back on last night. They will remember the loss. They will probably recall the score, and certain plays. But they will definitely remember the good times that led them to a chance to play for a conference championship in front of their home fans and a cable television audience on a glorious fall evening.

Young men who mature into middle-age gents don’t forget those things. That is what makes high school athletics, and in particular the sport of football, so appetizingly appealing.

Not everyone makes it to Senior Night. It is an honor to do so. To be introduced to the crowd, along with your parents, is a moment worth savoring. Your football career flashes before your eyes. Each and every minute of the long, hard ride registers into crystal-clear focus. When young men begin playing the game as pee wees and advance through middle school and freshmen ball, the prospects of lettering at the varsity level and playing in meaningful games is really all you can ask for. Win or lose, last night was worth all the blood, sweat and tears shed along the way.

To the 15 senior members of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights football team I salute you and congratulate you. The sacrifices you and your families have made over the years will be rewarded later in life in the bounty of blessings that the experience of playing high school football bestows. Regardless of the final score and the hurt that comes with it you guys are winners. Of all the fellas that walk the hallowed halls of BBHHS each day only 15 of you understand what it took to get you to last night.

Lights, Cameras and Plenty of Action

Brecksville and Berea, Mipdark and now Berea-Mipdark have faced each other for 37 consecutive season on the gridiron. They won’t any longer. The Titans were the better team on Friday night. Their SWC title is well deserved.

The game was so big that Sports Time Ohio was on hand to chronicle the event. Print and on-line media invaded the Bee Hives press box. The contest was action-packed. The electricity during pregame, throughout the tilt and long afterward was palpable. Splendid athletic performances and raw emotion took center stage.

It was 90 minutes before kick off, the earliest this scribe had arrived at the Hive in many years. The STO broadcast team had been in contact the latter part of the week. They asked for all the information this beat reporter could offer on the home team. Fox-8 set-up its truck in the north end zone. STO camera’s were all over the place. The production of the broadcast was top-notch.

“They were out here all day setting up. A teacher told us to look out the windows at them working,” one player said while stretching and getting his game face on in the quiet Bees locker room at 5:45.

Pregame Preambles

“You’re are not the only media here tonight,” offered Bees assistant coach Dan Schreiber. Fans trickled into the ballpark at first. And then clusters of them began arriving in droves. Berea-Midpark faithful were geared up for this one. They arrived early and often and had been primed for a game like this when it was announced three years ago that the two Berea system sister schools would merge into one.

The guy that sells kettle korn elbowed for position along the fence next to the Fox-8 satellite truck. BBHHS junior volleyball player Molly Taylor stopped by. “Come to the SADD bake sale. We made everything,” Taylor said.

Michelle Sokolowski’s hand followed one of her younger sons into a freshly-opened bag of Tootsie Pops. The party was just beginning.

Berea Roy Hruska was not going to miss this one. Garfield Roy Pubal, a long-distance Bee fan who travels back to Australia tomorrow, had been counting down the hours to kick off all week.

Another Roy, Roy Walter, was introduced along with his wife Chris (one of the teams sideline photographers). They proudly escorted son Troy, one of the 15 seniors, along the track during pregame introductions. In keeping with the trend Mr. Walter is heretofore known as Broadview Roy.

More Than Just a Game

It was also Senior Night for all other extra-curricular activities connected with football. The cheerleaders and marching band members all rightfully received their 15 seconds of Bee Hive fame. The homes stands were full. Cameras clicked and video recorders rolled.

Former volleyball player Hannah Nowacki, class of 2012, paid a visit. Her sister Riley is a senor cheerleader. “We will win because I am here. I had to come back for Riley’s senior night. It will be 21-17 Bees,” Hannah, now a junior at The Ohio State University, offered.

Junior cheerleader Chloe Backman may be the worlds busiest teenage girl. In addition to cheering and her school work, Chloe is a cashier at Heinen’s. She was on duty this morning. And we re-hashed the game. As is customary Backman provided a prediction and insight prior to kick off with B-M. Somehow she found enough time to do her homework on the Titans.

“I really think that this will be a close game considering that both teams are 7-1. However I do feel that we will be able to win as long as we are confident and aggressive!”, said Chloe.” I believe that the final score will be Brecksville with 30 and Berea-Midpark with 24.”

“Normally I am pretty close, but I was way off on my prediction. No one thought that,” Miss Bachman said this morning while ringing up my grocery tab.

A Guy Who Would Know

STO color analyst Frank Stams stopped by. Stams and I exchanged several emails and phone calls the previous two days. He wanted to know more about the Bees in preparation for the broadcast. Stams, who went to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and played on Notre Dames 1988 national championship team, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1989 NFL draft. He played seven years in the league, the first three on the left coast and his final four in his backyard with the Browns.

“You have to be three things to play in the NFL,” Stams said. “You have to be smart. You have to be fast. And you have to be tough. If you are all those three things they will find a place for you.”

Meanwhile back inside the Bees locker room STO was preparing to film Jason Black’s pregame speech to his team.

Cheerleader Giovanna Milano paid her weekly visit. “I want to be interviewed, but I have to go to the other side now to meet the Berea-Midpark cheerleaders,” Miss Milano noted. The amiable lefty would soon return.

And so Milano, the younger sister of Carlo, hunkered down for her much-anticipated interview. She wanted to talk about Senior Night and what it means to her as a junior. “Senior Night is really sad because it is so sad to see such great friends take the field or cheer one last time at our home stadium,” Milano said. “I am so proud of every senior and their accomplishments. We’ve had such an amazing season. I’m excited to see how we do in the games to come. Good luck Bees! Beat Berea-Midpark!”

There were still 20 minutes to kick off. Brecksville and the Titans were winding down their pregame warmups. BBHHS defensive coordinator John Shirilla had his usual weekly chat with the local media. “They are averaging 43 a game so we’ll have to get after it,” Coach Shirilla said. “I’m up for the challenge.”

Sideline Subtleties

Longtime Berea-(Midpark) band director John Fedalli extended a bro hug. He and I go way back to my days as a Sun News writer. “I see you are still at it. They have you busy over here,” Fedalli said before greeting Jason Wise, the Bees band director.

Garfield Roy, never at a loss for words, engaged a zebra in conversation. This ought to be good. Or scary. I thought. The game official was checking the Bees game balls for proper inflation. He talked of the pregame ritual and then the subject turned to the glorious fall weather. “To be wearing short sleeves this time of year, we’ll take it,” the ref said with a smile. And then put his stern game face on for the captains coin toss.

Brecksville head coach Jason Black greeted his seniors and their parents after they were introduced. He was beaming. As a former player Black knows first-hand what it means to make it to Senior Night. His perspective was a little different. “I would have given anything to be part of this atmosphere when I was in high school,” Black, who played back in the Pioneer Conference days at North Royalton, said. “We were always 1-7 at this time of year.”

The perfect evening got getter when the BBHHS band belted out the alma mater and the national anthem. By this time The Swarm was 20 rows deep and about fifty kids across. The students sang along, loud and clear, to both songs. Seniors dominated the front rows. It was their night too. “Throw me a Tootsie Pop. Art and I are boys,” Jake Kivett, a senior hockey player, called out. “I know Art too,” a red-headed fella said.

If you know Art you get a Tootsie Pop seems to be the new protocol. Even if you don’t have a clue who Art is you still get one.

After 90 minutes of fun and frivolity the game finally began. The Swarm fell into a state of stunned silence when the Titans raced out to a 21-0 lead halfway through the first quarter. ‘This is the Bees nightmare scenario,” Garfield Roy, aka Captain Obvious, said.

Joe-D’s Big Run

Suddenly the home stands had something to cheer about. Senior linebacker turned running back Joe Dimitrijevs surprised everyone wearing blue and orange when he broke off left tackle and out ran pursuit for a 64-yard touchdown that showed Brecksville would indeed have something to say bout the outcome of this Southwestern Conference championship game. “Where has this guy been all year? He runs hard,” asked Garfield Roy, who follows the Bees via the website from his home down under.

Director of football operations Mike Grgat tweeted the Bees first touchdown out for all the world to know. “I am the Twitter guy. I don’t know if that is a promotion or a demotion,” Grgat said with a straight face.

B-M scored again. The hosts answered when senior mainstay Garrett Patterson, who also happens to know Art, snagged a 5-yard touchdown pass from Luke Strnad. It was now 28-13 and Brecksville showed they could play with a Division I school that has 200 or so more boys in its enrollment.

“This is becoming a defensive struggle. At this pace the final score will be 112-52,” Garfield Roy quipped. Not sure if Coach Shirilla would find humor in that.

In actuality the scoring was only just beginning. Carpel tunnel syndrome was becoming a legitimate concern. As were the ink levels of three ballpoint pens and the number of available pages on a fresh out-of-the package steno pad.

The Bees Keep Bringing It

Dimitrijevs was all over the field. He was on a mission to make his last game on Mill Road a memorable one. Dimitrijevs’ recovery of a Titans fumble at the Bees 18 flint-rocked another spark to the guys in red. “That’s a pole vaulter for you. Joe-D is an athlete,” said assistant coach Jeff Black.

Frank Stams had been tipped off to what was about to happen. It was only a matter of time before offensive coordinator Tom Tupa reached into his bag of tricks. And when he does he usually dials up something that is well above brilliant. Dimitrijevs’ fumble recovery paid quick dividends.

On second down Strand handed off to Tyler Tupa who came around from left to right on what looked like a wide receiver reverse. Those that have watched this team over the years know better. When Tupa stopped on the dime, ducked and then rose back up all you could see was the back of red jersey number 3, wide open behind the Titans secondary. Tyler threw one of the prettiest passes you will ever see from a guy who says he doesn’t have his older brothers arms to G-Pat for a 62-yard touchdown.

Brecksville had cut the margin to 28-20 and it was still early in the second quarter.

The Bees defense forced a rare punt. Its offense was now on a roll. Strnad, the teams leading rusher, carried the ball four times for 23 yards. And then he went deep. Tupa hauled in a 40-yard strike that gave the hosts a first down at the Titans eight. The drive didn’t produce a touchdown but it did add three points to the total as senior Jakob Nypaver nailed a letter-perfect 25-yard field goal.

This was a ballgame. 28-23 B-M with with 4:12 left before halftime. The STO audience had to love Brecksville’s gumption to not roll over and get mercy-ruled. “They looked like a menza mortu becku. But now the  Bees are playing football,” Garfield Roy said. Translation: Half dead goat in Italian. No worries mates. Roy’s 20-hour flight to the southern hemisphere departs in the morning.

The Bees defense stiffened again when it had to. It stymied a B-M drive and the hosts took possession at their own 19. Then things took a dramatic turn. Jared Paul intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. Incredibly the Titans would add a 31-yard field goal by junior kicker Connor Kahl.

Halftime Happenings

Thought: So instead of being down five points (at the worst) at halftime, Brecksville went to its clubhouse with a 15-point deficit, 38-23.

It was Senior Night so the BBHHS Marching Band performed a stirring rendition of Script Bees, which was met with a standing ovation. That followed a wonderful performance by Fedalli’s B-M band.

Berea-Midpark athletes Michelle Lee, a senior volleyball player, and Cassidy Squires, a senior basketball player, joined Brecksville senior multiple-sport athlete Kelsey “KC” Roman at the fence. Tootsie Pops were doled out. “I have to take the ACT in the morning so I can’t go out after the game,” Roman said. Swenson’s will never be the same.

The Titans Are Just Too Much

Berea-Midpark pulled away when senior speedster Justin Harris bolted for a 47-yard TD early in the third quarter. Tupa retaliated with a well-timed jumping catch of a 37-yard scoring aerial from Strnad. Soon the scoreboard lights would need to be replaced.

The Bee Athletic Boosters 50/50 take home pot was announced at a tidy $1,100. In the meantime Strnad narrowed the Titans lead to 45-37 when he sneaked across the goal line from an inch away with 1:30 left in the third stanza.

But Brecksville could not stop Berea-Midpark. For that matter no other team in the SWC has either. It is the year of the Titans in the fall of 2014. Ray Hradek’s squad put the icing on the SWC cupcake with a 15-yard pass from junior quarterback Nick Gassman to senior Matt Owens. That made the score 52-37 with 10:32 to play. This time the Bees would have no answer. And that is how this 37-year rivalry would end.

The Sun Came up on Saturday

The Bees will regroup and turn their efforts to Westlake next Friday in their last ever Southwestern Conference contest.

While the B-M band blared and its players and fans whooped it up on the far sideline in championship fashion, Coach Black was besieged by print media members who were on a tight deadline. Black was gracious, accommodating and answered all the tough questions. He then met with his team and, in heart-warming eloquence, simultaneously congratulated and consoled his seniors at the same time.

A win would have been nice. But last night was special for so many reasons. Years from now these senior Bees will realize that. Sometime it is not the final result, but the effort it takes to get you to where you need to go is what matters most. It will come to them when they least expect it. When they are competing in the game that means more than any other. The game of life.

 

BEE HIVE BUZZ:

An 89-point game and a 41-point first quarter. Who would have thunk that? Just once before I surrender the steno pad for an anonymous seat in the stands I would like to cover a 12-6 game. Just once. They say that everything comes full circle. Perhaps one day defense will return to high school football.

The Bees are averaging 30.1 points per game through nine. They are giving up 24.7. Brecksville finishes its home season at 3-2 overall, 3-1 in league play.

STO announcer Frank Stams shared a tidbit. He played with the Bees Tom Tupa in the Ohio North-South All-Star football game following their senior seasons. The game was played at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. The coach for the North squad was none other than Brecksville’s Joe Vadini. Stams said that the South defeated the North, 6-0, on a pass to Lancaster’s Chris Carter. 6-0. In an all-star game. They played defense in 1984.

Congratulations to Berea-Midpark. Conference championships don’t grow on trees. They are earned. The Titans earned it on the field all season. No more so than last night. This is a very good football team. Much success to B-M the rest of the way.

 

 

LAST NIGHTS GAMES:

Southwestern Conference

Berea-Midpark (8-1, 6-0 SWC) – 52, BBHHS (7-2, 4-1 SWC) – 37

The Titans title-clinching victory over the Bees was far from the upset that the mainstream media reported. Berea-Midpark was definitely the more talented team. Congratulations to Coach Ray Hradek, his assistants and players.

North Olmsted – 49, Avon Lake – 42

See what I’m saying about defense? Anyway, North Olmsted quarterback Christian Ammons passed for 392 yards and five touchdowns. That overcame a 15-carry, 175-yard, five touchdown effort by the Shoremen’s rugged running back Sam Klimkowski. The Eagles are solidly in third place in the conference.

Amherst Steele – 28, Westlake – 10

A real nice win for Bill Fishleigh and his Comets. It was Steele’s first SWC victory in two years. And it should put the Demons in a foul mood next Friday when the Bees make their way to Hilliard Boulevard.

 

Cross-over Game

Avon – 28, Olmsted Falls – 13.

The Eagles jumped on the Bulldogs early and made it work in a game that was much closer than expected.

 

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE:

Cleveland Central Catholic at Holy Name … Tonight at North Royalton.

North Royalton – 34, Shaker Heights – 27.

The struggling Bears actually scored some points and were a touchdown better than the Red Raiders on Senior Night at Serpentini.

Hudson – 41, Mentor – 27

Mitch Guadagni atoned for four interceptions by throwing five touchdown passes as the Explorers topped a very good Cardinal team in front of an overflow crowd and captive Thursday night television audience. Coming into the game the Associated Press had Mentor ranked number one in the state in Division I and Hudson 2nd. Ron Wright’s Explorers are expected to be the top team when the week-nine AP Poll becomes public.

Midview – 37, Lakewood – 7

The Rangers post a token fourth quarter TD but remain win less in the West Shore Conference. Undefeated Midview (9-0, 6-0 WSC) wins the league championship. Its reward to is to go play at Berea-Midpark next week on Senior Night at Finnie.

Springfield Kickapoo – 35, Joplin – 21

For the second time this season Joplin loses to Kickapoo. The Eagles season is complete at 6-4 overall.

Upcoming stories: Sunday (the statistical breakdown from the Bees-Titans game). Monday night (a preview of the Brecksville-Westlake clash).

 

See You At The Bee Hive!

To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.

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