WILLARD TURNS BELLEVUE AWAY, 28-7 September 14th 2002 By Sportscaster17 Alumni Turn Out to See First Willard Home Win over Bellevue since '90

  Willard, OH - It may well have been alumni night at Flashes Field Friday night. With representatives from nearly every graduating class of either school since 1990 on hand, the Crimson Flashes flexed their muscles in a 28-7 tripping of Bellevue. The Flashes improved to 4-0 on the season while Bellevue dipped to 3-1 in front of an announced crowd of over 5,000 at Willard High.

  Mid-season excitement ran high prior to kickoff, as the two NOL giants got set to clash in a pivotal early-season conference dual. In the end, however, it was Willard's swords which shined the brightest, utilizing a sweltering defense and an offense that resembled a manufacturing line.

  In a painful recurring sense of deja-vu, Willard third-year quarterback Nick Strance made like former Willard signal callers of old, as he used a nit-and-pick style offense to control the clock, and gain positive yardage. Strance was pressured repeatedly in the first half, but maintained his composure and drilled his collection of receivers consistently.

  The Redmen went three and out to start the game, and Willard began its first offensive series at the Redmen 49. Strance fired a 16-yard screen pass to Nate Williams for a first down, and after back-to-back sacks to account for a total loss of 17 yards, the Redmen defense looked poised to make a stand. On fourth and goal, Strance calmly met the outstretched fingers of Senior Nick Dials with a perfect pass, and the Flashes had seized control of the game and momentum, 6-0. The point after was good and Willard had the early lead.

  The Redmen then stole a play from the Flashes on their ensuing possession. Following a holding penalty, Bellevue was faced with 3rd and 17. Sophomore Jon Journay looped a floater to Junior Matt Lepley, who raced 59 yards to the end zone. Mike Snyder tacked the extra point, and it was the folks clad in red and white who were rejoicing in the 7-7 deadlock.

  Unfortunately for the Redmen faithful, that would be as good as it was going to get. The Bellevue fans watched in frustration as Strance and his array of receivers took baby steps down the field until they were eventually met with 3rd and goal. That's when Strance found the previously slumbering J.J. Ditz in the right corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score. The P.A.T. was true and Willard led 14-7.

  Willard intercepted Journay's pass on the next Redmen possession, which set up the game's most exciting play. With the ball resting on the six, Nick Strance rolled to his left for what seemed like an eternity. As the pocket collapsed, Strance turned on the rockets and stormed for the pylon. A trio of Redmen defenders sent the bewildered Strance spinning in the air like a helicopter, over the end zone plane, and back to the Earth. By the time Strance came back in contact with the planet, his team was ahead 20-7. The kick was good, and our halftime score was 21-7 in favor of the hosts.

  A grueling stalemate was waiting for the fans and players as we began the third quarter. Neither offense could muster much of anything, as both defenses made fine adjustments in the locker room. Willard finally began to drive once again, but the third quarter expired with the scoreboard reading 21-7 Flashes.

  Nate Williams broke off a long run down to the Bellevue six yard line to start the fourth quarter, and quite appropriately, Williams was allowed to finish the drive he started, with a six yard touchdown run that further heightened the roar emanating from the south stands.

  Ahead now 28-7, the Flashes defense continued its virtuoso performance. However, the young Redmen refused to yield, and drove all the way to the Willard four yard line. Bellevue then ran off four unsuccessful plays to give the Flashes the ball back, and the outcome became clearer.

  A show of class was exhibited by fourth-year Flashes' coach Chris Hawkins, who opted not to run any further plays with the ball on the Bellevue one yard line and thirty seconds remaining.

  "It's a big win, but we're going to try and keep it in perspective. We need to come out and play well next week as well," Hawkins said following the 28-7 triumph.

  Hawkins now stands at 4-1 lifetime against his biggest rival, and earned his first win against the Redmen in Willard. Coincidentally, the loss was just Bellevue's second road loss in 39 games under Ed Nasonti. The other loss was a 27-7 defeat at Tiffin's Tornado Alley in 1995.

  The season continues for both squads in week five. The Flashes will do battle with Jordan Horowitz' Norwalk Truckers (a 21-14 loser to Loudonville) while Bellevue is at home looking to continue their recent mastery of Steve Gilbert's Columbian Tornadoes, who bounced Galion 57-0.

  Under Ed Nasonti's guidance, the Redmen have never lost two straight regular season contests.