The Suburban Conference American Division opener was a game of runs and rallies, but in the end, the Aurora Greenmen prevailed over the Tallmadge Blue Devils 32-18.
Aurora opened things up quickly as senior captain Graham Aldredge took the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. However, Tallmadge then got three scores of its own thanks to a 40-yard keeper by quarterback Sam Seeker, a 20-yard catch and run by Evan Teeling, and a one-yard run by Mike Yamokoski. While two extra points were blocked, the Blue Devils still led 18-7.
Unfortunately, they would never score again. A field goal pulled the Greenmen to within eight, then a 15-yard pass to Aldredge from Colin McNamara followed by a two-point conversion notted things up at 18. McNamara later found John Papesh from 12 yards out just before the half, and Aurora led 25-18.
Tallmadge had its chances in the second half, but could not muster much against the Aurora defense. Evan McVay later scored at 18-yard rushing touchdown, and the team ran out the clock for the 32-18 victory. It was also the 150th win of head coach Bob Mihalik's career.
At 3-1, the Greenmen will take on Kent Roosevelt next week, while the 2-2 Blue Devils will do battle with Dover.
MENTOR 45, STRONGSVILLE 20
The unbeaten Cardinals opened up Greater Cleveland Conference with another decisive victory. Quarterback Ian Kipp threw for three touchdowns while Brian Trobel ran for two more, including one from 71 yards away.
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