Redmen make it seven straight against backyard rival Fliers September 7th 2002 By XBellevueplayar

   Bellevue, OH - The Bellevue Redmen gave the Clyde Fliers a taste of reality Friday night in a playoff atmosphere game at BAF Stadium as the Redmen trounced the Fliers 41-14.

   Early on it appeared that the game could possibly live up to the billing of a close hard fought contest. Both teams offense struggled out of the gate going three and out. On Clyde's second offensive series Junior Scott Borchardt came up with a Flier fumble giving the Redmen good field position from Mid Field. The Redmen again failed to get a first down and was forced to punt.

   On Bellevue's third offensive series the Redmen marched down the field from there own 43 yardline. A key third and long play saw Jordon Berberick make a tough catch after the ball was tipped for a 13 yard gain and a Redmen first down. Derrick O'Lynn who is back from injury took the handoff plays later for a 36 yard run down to the Flier 3. The very next play O'Lynn went in for 6. The Mike Snyder kick was good and the Redmen led 7-0 with 2:05 left in the first quarter.

   Once again for the third week in a row the Fliers came right back with a scoring drive of there own. After a series of plays and a key first down run by Quarterback Patrick Burkin the Fliers found the endzone on a 15 yard touchdown reception by Jake Keegan. The two point conversion was good and the Fliers took there only lead with 11:56 to play in the second quarter at 8-7.

   Unfazed, the Redmen raced down to the Flier 24 yardline on a 23 yard reception by Derrick O'Lynn. On the next play Jared Martin recovered a Redmen fumble inside the 10 yardline and returned it to the Flier 16. The Fliers then went three and out as the stingy Redmen defense didn't budge an inch. The Redmen followed with great field position off of a shanked punt by Clyde. Ben Snyder then gained 23 yards on a pass from Sophomore Quarterback Jon Journay putting the ball on the flier 16 yardline. A Clyde defender on the following play hit Junior Matt Lepley before the ball arrived and a pass interference call gave the Redmen a first and goal on Clyde's 9 yardline. Journay followed with a perfect strike to Lepley for the score. The two point conversion failed and the Redmen regained the lead 13-8.

   On Clyde's next position there came the first of many costly turnovers for the Fliers. Senior defensive lineman Jeremy Smith recovered a Flier fumble on Clyde's 34 yardline. Five plays later Journay hooked up with O'Lynn for the score. Once again the 2 point conversion failed and the Redmen lead grew to 19-8 with 6:05 left until halftime.

   After a holding penalty against Clyde, Burkin threw an interception to Matt Lepley who walked into the endzone from 35 yards out for another Redmen score. O'Lynn took the pass from Journay for the two point conversion making the score 27-8 with 4:55 left in the first half.

   Both Bellevue and Clyde's next positions went three and out. After a Redmen punt the Fliers marched down the field from there own 44 to just inside the Redmen 20. On a fourth and one the Redmen defense rose to the occasion stopping the Fliers and taking over on downs with 1:09 left in the first half. The Redmen would run down the clock before punting as the clock hit zero and the Redmen went into the locker room with a 27-8 halftime lead.

   To open the third quarter of play the Redmen went three and out. Clyde took over after a Redmen shanked punt on Bellevue's 43 yardline. The second play of the series saw Senior Luke Spurlock intercept a Patrick Burkin's pass.

   Bellevue drove down the field on receptions by Lepley and Snyder as Snyder scored from 24 yards out. Defensive holding was called on the play and was refused. The two point conversion attempt was good making the score 35-8 Bellevue with 7:56 left in the third.

   The Redmen's next offensive series saw Matt Lepley score his third touchdown of the night on a 53 yard reception from Jon Journay. The fake extra point attempt failed and it was 41-8 Redmen.

   Clyde couldn't get anything going on offense and after another three and out Burkin threw another interception this one being to Sophomore Brian Palsa. On the Redmen's first play Journay fumbled the ball on the handoff giving the Fliers the ball on the Bellevue 19 yardline. With 11:11 left to play in the game Clyde's Bill Waugaman found paydirt on a second and goal play on the one. The two point conversion failed.

   As that capped off the scoring Head Coach Ed Nasonti took control of the clock having his Quarterback use ever available second off the clock before snapping the ball. The Redmen ran off the field winners of three straight on the year and seven straight against route 20 rival The Clyde Fliers.

   Now begins preparation for next week and what many are calling the NOL championship game in only the leagues first week of divisional play. Both the Bellevue Redmen and the Willard Flashes enter next weeks game 3-0 as Willard beat Huron 42-6 Friday evening at Huron. The game gets no bigger for a lot of fans including myself as these two teams are probably two of the more bitter rivals in the NOL.

   Quick Facts:
Willard has won 3 out of the last 4 against the Redmen but lost five straight at home against the Redmen dating back to 1992 when the Redmen beat Willard 37-20. And you guessed it, this years game is at Willard.