SOLON: It seems that half of Hudson marveled last year when the Explorers put together the best season in school history that concluded with a 13-1 record and a spot in the Division I state semifinals.
Maybe it’s time the populace starts marveling over this year’s team.
Despite playing without two of its best players out for the season with injuries, the Explorers methodically dismantled Mayfield 31-6 on Friday in a Division II regional championship game on Solon’s Stewart Field.
The victory improved Hudson’s record to 11-2 and sends it to next week’s state semifinals against an opponent and at a site to be determined on Sunday.
While the offense put the game on ice with two third-quarter touchdowns, this game belonged to the Hudson defense. Led by linebackers Roman Moreno, Will Orazen and Anthony Donatelli, tackle Danny Baka and defensive back Mike Piekarski, the defense was relentless from the opening whistle. It blocked two punts and a field-goal attempt, sacked Mayfield quarterback Mario Monastero 11 times and held the Wildcats to less than 200 yards through the first 32 minutes.
It kept the Wildcats’ offense, which came into the game averaging 33 points a game, off the scoreboard until Monastero scrambled away from pressure and connected on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jared Dostal with 10:53 to play. Seemingly true to form, Monastero was sacked attempting to complete a 2-point conversion pass.
The Explorers, who lost 36 starters from last year’s team that lost to eventual state champion Lakewood St. Edward, had a 10-0 lead to start the second half but quickly extended the lead when junior Kolby Miller returned the kickoff to the Mayfield 38 and junior Matt Restifo scored on the first play from scrimmage when he swept right end and simply outran everyone to the end zone.
Two possessions later, they made it 24-0 on a 12-yard run by quarterback Jackson Parker. The 6-4, 200-pound junior, who missed a couple of games with a bruised kidney, added some icing with 9:46 to play with a 47-yard touchdown run.
Hudson, in the playoffs for the 10th time, built a 10-0 halftime lead thanks to a Mayfield blunder, a 4-yard touchdown run by Moreno and a 29-yard field goal by sophomore Grant Gonya.
Mayfield, in the playoffs for the ninth year, was thwarted on its first possession and was forced to punt from its 24-yard line. Perhaps because of the fear of a heavy rush and a possible blocked punt or simply poor judgment, punter Luke Bican took off around right end but was dragged down far short of the first down by Enrique Rodriguez and the Explorers were given a first-down gift at the Mayfield 20. Three plays later, Moreno bulled his way in from the 4.
Hudson’s defense, especially against the run, was as efficient as possible. It held the Wildcats to 54 yards, with 70 coming through the air.
Gonya’s field goal, which came with 1:22 left in the first quarter, capped a six-play drive that started at the Mayfield 35. A pass interference penalty near the goal line accounted for the biggest gain of the drive.
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