BEES SWEEP THROUGH B-W
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Wednesday night, June 25, 2014
BEREA – Even through the calendar says late June, grid-iron gray matter says that it’s beginning to look a lot like football. In fact, at this evenings 7 on 7 passing scrimmage here at Baldwin-Wallace University, it even felt and smelled like football.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights opened its 7 on 7 summer passing scrimmage schedule by sweeping past a wide variety of four opponents on a beautiful night to get out and toss the pigskin around.
Junior Danny Shirilla and sophomore Luke Strnad shared the snaps at quarterback for the Bees.
In game one, played on the high-grass field behind Berea-Midpark High, Brecksville tuned-up by topping Hawken, 15-3.
Neighboring Independence was next in a game played on the carpet at the west end of Tressel Field at Finnie Stadium.
Junior Tyler Tupa (6-1, 195), who has spent countless quality hours in the weight room since the conclusion of basketball season, made an outstanding play on a Blue Devil pass for a interception in the middle of the field.
Shirilla was effective at quarterback and the Bees downed Indy, 21-9.
In the back 40, Brecksville took on Meigs in game three. The Marauders, from southern Ohio, took an early one touchdown lead. And at times the Bees defense appeared spotty.
On offense however the red helmets began to click. Shirilla tied the game with TD pass to senior Jared Schott. And Coach Jason Blacks group never looked back.
Junior linebacker Josh Underwood came up with a diving interception. And then Shirilla connected with Tupa across the middle before finding a streaking Garrett Patterson, who out ran Meigs’ coverage on a fade pattern down the far side for a score
The Marauders threatened but their drive was halted by senior linebacker Joe Mandato who came up with back-to-back pass deflections, one at the goal line and one in the end zone.
Strnad took over QB and caught fire. Hot hand Luke tossed four consecutive touchdown strikes on as many plays as the Bees closed out the Marauders.
Back on the turf Brecksville concluded its first series of summer tests by defeating Midview 21-12. It was the fifth straight year that the Bees have claimed victory at the B-W 7 on 7.
“I can see constant improvement from our team. And I like the kids unselfishness by playing multiple positions,” Black said later on in the evening. “That’s going to be important for us so we can get the best 11 on the field on Friday nights.”
BEES BUZZ:
Coming off a 10-2 season that netted an undisputed Southwestern Conference championship and a second-round Division II playoff appearance one would expect that fan interest would be high. It was. The Bees had around 25 supporters who sat in the stands and occupied spots on the grassy knoll to take in the action.
One of them was former Bee Quentin Brown (2013). Brown was joined by his track start sister Kendall (a multiple-sport junior) and a bevy of other young ladies who swarmed at the sight of a Tootsie Pop bag. Perhaps the coeds were there to watch seniors Jared Schott. Or perhaps G-Pat. Or maybe Mason Mackovjak?
Defensive coaches John Shirilla (coordinator) and Mike Czack (linebackers) recently returned home from a cruise they took with their families and friends. “The highlight was swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel,” the sun-tanned Shirilla said. “It was a lifelong dream to do that.”
Ten teams participated in tonight’s event: The Bees, Kiski Prep (Pittsburgh area), Independence, Hawken School, Bay, Ledgemont, Midview, Olmsted Falls, Galion and Meigs.
The Marauders made the three hour trip in the cars of coaches. One player said that their ETA back in Meigs County would be at 1:00 am Thursday morning. A Meigs coach was an NFL teammate of Brecksville offensive coordinator Tom Tupa. The former Bee and Ohio State Buckeye called the plays this evening.
Timmy Tupa, Brecksville’s recently graduated first-team All-Ohio quarterback, leaves for Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy Monday. “I’m excited,” Timmy said.
Old buddy Kyle Barberic stopped by to say hello. Barberic is now in his second season on the staff at Bay. He will be the Rockets offensive coordinator this fall. Barberic was a long-time assistant at Olmsted Falls.
Baldwin-Wallace players and coaches, including former Lakewood head coach Ron Lewis, ran the show on the fields. Yellow Jackets head coach John Schnell kept a watchful eye on the action.
It is amazing how fast four years goes. The memory of Timmy (as a freshman) and Tyler Tupa walking home, along the dark side of Route 82 after the Bees defeated arch rival North Royalton in the season opener in 2010, is a sight this scribe won’t soon forget. “That was the worst decision of my life,” said Timmy Tupa with a straight face.
Jason Black played four years of varsity football at North Royalton. As a player or a coach he has never lost a game at Finnie Stadium. That record stands – even in summer 7 on 7’s.
Tyler Tupa has been formally offered scholarships by Bowling Green and Kent State. The beauty for Bees fans is that he still has two more seasons of football ahead of him on Mill Road.
Brecksville brought 14 players to tonight’s scrimmage. During the Meigs game defensive coordinator John Shirilla managed to get himself fired and then rehired – all within the span of about 10 minutes. Coach Mutch, where art thou?
QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:
“Are my tight ends going to get in at all tonight?” – Mike Czack.
“We love Art and he knows it.” – Garrett Patterson.
“Art loves us too, even though he doesn’t show it.” – Mason Mackovjak.
NEXT UP:
The Bees go over to Nordonia for a 7 on 7 passing scrimmage on Monday night, July 14. The action gets underway at 6:00 pm.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
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