Eagles storm their way to 10th consecutive SWC title

It seems there’s no such thing as a trap game for the Avon Eagles. Friday’s matchup at Elyria certainly could have qualified, as Avon already had clinched at least a tie for its 10th consecutive Southwestern Conference championship as well as a top-four spot in the Division II playoff standings, meaning the Eagles already were assured of a first-week bye and then a home game. Also, the team they were playing was suffering through its second consecutive winless season and a 22-game losing streak. But taking it easy for a week is not the Avon way. It’s not in their DNA. That’s why they jumped to a 30-7 lead after one quarter and never looked back, eventually taking a 47-7 decision to end the regular season at 9-1. “We have a target on our back at all times, so it just pushes us to work even harder,” said linebacker Ryan Stolarski. “Like this week, we knew we were playing an 0-9 team. We could have taken a week off and rested, but we were preparing for teams that we think we’ll see later in the playoffs. So, we’re just trying to get a head start. We know we have to keep working every week because we know what it takes.” The ultimate goal is to repeat as state champions, and cruising through a week just doesn’t fit into the plan. “We wanted to get out of here healthy and play to our standard, which I think we did,” said coach Mike Elder. “All week long, I thought our kids practiced to our standard. But the first thing I want to do is tip my hat to Elyria. You think about those kids and the journey they’ve been on and the fact that they’re still out here fighting. We talked all week about being humble and respecting our opponents. There’s probably not a team in our conference that I respect more than the kids from Elyria, and they came out and played their hearts out.” But, as Elder said in summary, “We have a talented team, and we played well.” It didn’t take long for Avon to take control, as the Eagles scored 16 points in the span of just over 2 minutes. First, Stolarski intercepted a pass on Elyria’s opening possession, retuning it to the Elyria 36. “All week my coaches told me that they like to throw the hitch,” he said, “and if I zoom to the flat quick enough and get my eyes on it … The coaches just put me in great spots that they threw in. I just wish I would have turned it into a touchdown.” Instead, on the very next play, Blake Elder hit Michael Colburn on a screen pass to the left side, and the junior raced into the end zone untouched. It was another big night for Elder, who played just half of the game but completed 5 of 8 attempts for 154 yards and four touchdowns. He now has passed for 2,134 yards and 26 touchdowns. “He deserves some recognition,” said wide receiver Grant Barr, who had one of the four TD receptions. “He’s a great quarterback. He’s my guy. We’ve been friends our entire lives. He’s been a quarterback his entire life. I knew he was the most accurate passer I’ve ever been around, so I knew this was the type of stuff he could do.” Elyria’s next possession ended without a first down, and on the punt, the snap from center was high, which threw off the timing of the play. Avon senior Josiah Saunders broke through the line and smothered the kick. He almost recovered it for a touchdown, but instead it went out of the back of the end zone for a safety, making it 9-0. On the ensuing free kick, Caeden Bennett fielded the ball on the 22-yard line and streaked up the right side through a hole that was so big that a couple of semis could have gone through it driving side-by-side. Thus, midway through the first quarter, the score was 16-0. In quick succession, Avon added scoring passes of 41 yards to Fin Jerdonek and 59 yards to Jackson Palmer, making it 30-7 after one period. The Eagles added a 10-yard TD pass to Barr to open the second quarter following one of three Avon takeaways, and Jensen Petro added a 42-yard field goal as time ran out to end the half at 40-7. With the entire second half being played with a running clock, Avon added one more score, a 62-yard pass from Trevor Sykora to Carter Schram. “It’s our 10th straight SWC championship, and it’s something I think some people glaze over,” said Mike Elder. “But we never will as a program, because our respect for the coaches and the teams and the players is top-notch. I think it’s one of the best conferences in the state. I think it prepared us to win a state championship last year, and I’m proud to call myself a member of the SWC with all those coaches who work really hard.”