Lake County Sentinel
Skippers dominate Heralds 41-12
BY TOMMY SHIRER
STAFF
On a crisp Fall night, the Fairport Harding Skippers traveled to the beautiful Spire Sports Complex in Geneva to play their bitter rival the St. John Heralds. The Skippers would not disappoint winning by a score of 41-12.
St. John got the game going on the first drive when they threw a 47-yard touchdown pass but missed the 2-Point conversion keeping the score at 6-0. It made everyone wonder, could the Skippers get upset. It seemed possible when the first quarter ended 6-0 Heralds, but the answer was simply no the Skippers would not be upset.
Just a few minutes into the second quarter Fairport junior RB Kevin Castellano easily slithered his way into the end zone on a four-yard rushing score. The PAT was good by senior Zane Malkamaki making it 7-6 with 9:32 left in the first half.
The Skipper then attempted an onside kick which they recovered, led by some nice runs, and throws on the drive the Skippers drove yet again with 5:12 left on the first half clock and score on another Castellano touchdown this time from six yards out, PAT once again good by Malkamaki.
Then just 4 minutes later at the 1:10 mark in the half the Skippers scored again on a 5 Yard touchdown pass to junior Josh Parsons from senior QB Gabe Lawson PAT good (Malkamaki). That is how the first half would end the score Fairport 21 St. John 6
The third quarter started slow, it took a few minutes for the Skippers to get back on the board but when they did with 7:13 left in the third quarter on a beautiful 33-yard touchdown pass from Lawson to junior James Gadomski who was wide open the whole game. The score was now 27-6 in favor of the visiting Skippers. St. John had not scored since that first drive and the Skippers were looking dominant on defense lead by senior LB Zak Hambor who knew exactly what the Heralds would run play after play and freshman DL DJ Dambolena who made the Heralds offensive line look nonexistent. The score remained 27-6 at the end of three quarters.
Shortly after the fourth quarter started the Skippers struck again after a nice drive on a one-yard powerful run by junior RB/WR Michael Hess and the PAT good by Malkamaki making it 34-6 with 9:40 left in the game. Then just a few plays later Hess made another great play on a tipped pass resulting in a diving interception. The Skipper were not able to turn the int into points.
The Heralds were then able to drive down the field and score on a 27-yard touchdown pass, the 2-Point no good the score was 34-12 with 6:39 left in the game.
Fairport got on the board one more time with 51 seconds left in the game on a four-yard touchdown run by junior Maverrick Piotrowski PAT good by Malkamaki making it 41-12. That would be the final score in this dominating game for the Skippers.
The Next game for these two rivals will be next Thursday October 20th as they play each other again, this time at Fairport at 6 pm. The Skippers will be fighting for a playoff spot, but will the Heralds come fighting? Not wanting the rival to make it? We will find out!
Also, another note I was extremely happy to see Fairport senior Jeremy Sundman back on the field after a scary injury a several weeks ago against Wickliffe!
POSTED 10/15/2022 01:19
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Photo by Tommy Shirer
