ONE LAST SHINING MOMENT
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Sunday night, November 23, 2014
RICHFIELD – Good humor, hugs and a cornucopia of awards highlighted the Bees annual post-season football banquet held here this evening at the Days Inn. It was a proper send off for a group of young men that fashioned an 8-3 overall record and firmly cemented itself in Brecksville-Broadview Heights history as the first team to advance to the state playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
“Tonight is bittersweet. It is great that we get to give these guys the recognition they deserve. But sad because it is the last time the 2014 team will all be together,” said veteran BBHHS head coach Jason Black during his introductory remarks.
The Bees made memories for themselves, their school and the twin communities they represent this past season. They were led by a group of 15 seniors who continued the legacy that the previous team laid the groundwork for.
“Last years team had a toughness and a willingness to compete. They passed on that legacy to this years seniors, who extended that culture by maintaining the narrow focus of winning the next play,” said linebackers coach Mike Czack.
Along the way they provided fist-pumping thrills and goose-bump-raising chills. The Bees did it with class and commitment. With heart and hard work.
“This was a season of major accomplishments. We made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. We beat North Royalton and kept The Golden Shoe. It was the fourth time in the last five years we did that. And we came back from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Southwestern Conference rival Avon Lake, 35-28, in overtime. We were the first SWC team to beat Avon Lake two years in a row. And they get to stew about that because they are not on our schedule any more,” Black told the packed banquet hall where parents, grandparents and family members shared in the festivities.
Seated at the head table were the 15 senior members of this falls history-making squad. Front and center on their table was The Golden Shoe. In its last 30 varsity games the senior class of 2015 posted a 23-7 record.
Loyal and Hard-Working
Assistant coaches recognized the seniors that played the positions they coached.
“Michael Nin never missed a practice and Doug McArtor was the leader of our offensive line. He never missed a workout,” said line coach Mike Glaser.
Point Producers
Offensive coordinator Tom Tupa spoke about Dan Clarke, Jakob Nypaver and Garrett Patterson. “Dan was always looking to learn and he caught a few passes for us in the Westlake game. Jakob’s hard work paid off. He was 37 of 42 with his extra point kicks and nailed a 25-yard field goal against Berea-Midpark, which cut their lead to five at a key time in the game,” said Tupa. “Garrett is a coaches dream. His route running is his strength. He made big catches and a lot of them ended up being touchdowns. He took his game to another level this year.”
Patterson, who hauled in 7 passes for 175 yards and scored twice against Avon Lake in the Miracle on Mill Road game, finished his two-year varsity career as a Bee with 61 catches for 923 yards and 13 touchdowns. G-Pat was captain of the week five times in 2014. And was the teams second leading scorer. “Garrett is one of the most talented kids that I have ever coached,” Tupa said.
High praise indeed from a former NFL player whose offensive wizardry has turned Brecksville into a program that cranks out quality wide receivers like Lordstown assembles Chevy’s.
Safeties and Corners
Defensive coordinator John Shirilla paid tribute to backs Colin Schrader, Jared Schott, Troy Walter and Ryan Lambert. “Colin Schrader came out for football his junior year and helped us on the scout team. Jared overcame a mid-season shoulder injury and came back to catch a touchdown pass at Westlake in week-ten,” said Shirilla. “He had 9 catches this season for 114 yards and a TD. He also made 22 tackles and had an interception.”
“Troy Walter did whatever we asked him to do. He was on the scout team as a junior and improved this summer during seven-on-sevens. He is very coachable,” Shirilla noted. “Troy’s 5 interceptions led the team this season and he had 68 career tackles.”
“Ryan Lambert plays with a ton of heart and passion. You win with people like Ryan,” said Shirilla. “He had 63 tackles his senior year and he intercepted a pass at Westlake.”
Backing Up The Line
Coach Czack spoke of linebackers Joe Mandato, Mason Mackovjak and co-captain Joe Dimitrijevs. “All three linebackers were on every single one of our special teams. They were also there when we faced adversity this season. We had to hold off Olmsted Falls and we had to come back to beat North Olmsted and Avon Lake. True leaders are there at times when you are down,” Czack said in describing three exciting league victories which vaulted the team into the SWC title chase and into the post-season picture.
“Mason Mackovjak is the kind of player that would say, ‘where do you need me?’. Because of injury he was thrust into the Friday night lights at Sam linebacker. Mason epitomizes what it means to be the ‘next player up'”, Czack said. “Without players like him you don’t have a successful season.”
Like most guys Joe Mandato played football his entire life. He was looking forward to his senior season as the coronation of all his hard work. Mandato, a linebacker and tight end, was also the teams long and short snapper the past two campaigns. His senior season started off with a bang. He had solid games against Holy Name and NORO. The flu bug that was going around at the time hit Joe hard the following week. Mandato rebounded from that only to suffer a shoulder injury in the next game. He rehabbed that and then was dealt a season-ending knee injury in the first half of the Avon Lake classic. Through all the adversity Mandato maintained a positive attitude.
“Joe showed an incredible willingness to overcome and persevere. He worked with the coaches and even sat up in the press box one game. He continued to contribute any way he could,” Coach Czack said of one of the teams truly classy personalities.
Dimitrijevs is a man of few words. He is a yes sir, no sir guy who looks you in the eye, shakes your hand firmly and gives straight answers. Joe-D is one of BBHHS’s top students. He picked up his third-year varsity award this evening.
“Joe started at safety as a sophomore. Going into his junior season we moved him to linebacker. He was willing to do whatever it took for the team,” said Czack. “Late this season he emerged as our feature running back. Joe had 29 carries for 257 yards and scored 4 touchdowns for us. He had 125 total career tackles and was named to the Academic All-Ohio team.”
In The Trenches
Assistant coach Jason Simonetti spoke of the teams 18 victories over the past two seasons. And then he introduced Zach Demetriades, a well-spoken two-way tackle who would do whatever his teammates and coaches needed him to do. And Evan Baschko, a man-mountain two-way tackle who provided one of the most interesting story lines that I have ever chronicled in well over two decades of covering high school football.
“Evan decided in the summer that he was giving up the band for football. The experiment worked out. He was thrown into the fire from day one. And he was like a veteran varsity player,” said Simonetti.
Two-way linemen Jon Linden was unable to attend this evening. Linden was a key player in the Bees second straight run to the playoffs.
“Congratulations to the 2014 seniors, the graduating class of 2015. They continued the tradition of excellence that we expect,” Coach Black said.
2014 BEES POST-SEASON AWARD WINNERS:
Associated Press Northeast Ohio-Lakes All-District:
First-Team: Tyler Tupa, WR.
Second-Team: Garrett Patterson, WR.
Second-Team: Joe Dimitrijevs, LB.
Second-Team: Luke Strnad, QB
Honorable Mention: Nick Sokolowski, T.
2014 Southwestern Conference Honorees:
First-Team: Joe Dimtrijevs, Garrett Patterson, Tyler Tupa, Luke Strnad.
Second-Team: Evan Baschko, Danny Shirilla, Niall Lewison, Victor Bierman.
Honorable Mention: Troy Walter, Ryder Seballos.
2014 Team Awards:
Most Valuable Player: Tyler Tupa.
Defensive MVP: Joe Dimitrijevs.
Offensive MVP: Garrett Patterson.
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Victor Bierman.
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Doug McArtor.
Most Valuable Runner: Luke Strnad.
Most Valuable Defensive Back: Danny Shirilla.
Most Improved Players: Mason Mackovjak, Evan Baschko.
Coaches Award Winners: Ryan Lambert, Troy Walter, Joe Mandato.
Ironman of the Year: Nick Zakelj.
Special Teams Player of the Year: Jakob Nypaver.
BBHHS Scholar Award Winners: Evan Baschko, Dan Clarke, Joe Dimitrijevs, Zach Demetriades, Ryan Lambert, Joe Mandato, Jakob Nypaver, Jared Schott, Troy Walter.
2014 Team Captains: Joe Dimitrijevs, Tyler Tupa, Danny Shirilla.
BANQUET BANTER:
Congratulations to the Bees freshmen team on an 8-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 championship season in the Southwestern Conference. The squad was coached by Jeff Black and Dan Schreiber.
Players, coaches and family members dined on breaded chicken cutlets, potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls and a variety of deserts.
Senior players took turns speaking of their position coaches. Many of the comments were touching and straight from the heart. The time that the players put into preparing for their public-speaking engagement and the thoughts they shared exemplified this groups class and character. And it put the Bees talented and hard-working coaching staff into the limelight it deserves.
Mason Mackovjak brought the house down when he described his “love/hate” relationship with Jason Black. Coach Black shared with this corner back in June, on a humid evening at Baldwin-Wallace, that Mackovjak possessed one of the most engaging personalities on the team. The Bees #44 certainly demonstrated that this evening.
Coach Black played Santa Claus when he asked the seniors to put on their home red game jerseys. Their last names were freshly imprinted in gold lettering on the back. The early Christmas gift was an awesome gesture.
The seniors presented two roses, one red and one yellow, to their moms. A highlight film of the season was shown, which included baby pictures.
Behind-the-scenes teamwork. I would like to thank team statistician Greg Roderick and director of football operations Mike Grgat. It is a pleasure working with those two gents. They are real pro’s. As Coach Black mentioned, keeping accurate stats for a team that plays at the tempo the Bees do is challenging. Roderick’s numbers provide much needed depth to the weekends editorial coverage package.
Jason Black encouraged the seniors to remain a part of the program. “It’s your program. Come back. Come to practice. Stand on the sideline during games. We want you to continue to be a part of the Bees football family in the future,” said Black.
Thanks to Jason Black for the kind words, both this evening and at the fall sports awards night. And to the players for their wonderful salute. The players and coaches were always patient when I got in their way on the sideline and when I thrust a microphone into their faces minutes after a game. For that I am grateful. It is a treat to be a part of something as special as the Brecksville-Broadview Heights football program. To the 15 seniors … all the very best. You guys are winners. Please stay in touch.
Check the website periodically throughout the off-season for program news, features and updates.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
Basketball websites:
Boys ….. beeshoops.com. Season opener Friday, December 5 at home vs Solon.
Girls ….. beesbasketball.com. Season opener this Saturday afternoon at home vs Garfield Heights.
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