Flag Football: Midview gets impressive win over Amherst, stays undefeated

SANDUSKY — Three teams walked onto Strobel Field on Sunday with perfect records in the Northern Ohio Girls Flag Football Orange Division. Midview was one of two that walked out with their undefeated seasons intact. The Middies (6-0) got on the board with a 45-yard Dezirae Thomas touchdown run on the first play of their second possession, and the defense took over from there in a dominating 22-6 win over Amherst. Midview intercepted a pair of Comets passes and forced a safety after an errant snap as it built a 16-0 halftime lead. "We focus on defense," Middies coach Seamus Higley said. "That was the first thing we did the first day of practice. It's the most important thing and the girls are doing a really good job of it."Thomas, the junior quarterback, also connected with wide receiver Leah DiFranco on a pair of touchdown passes. "I gave them the keys on offense and defense," Higley said of Thomas and DiFranco. "They're both great leaders and they're able to tell everyone what to do out on the field." Thomas also ran for three first downs. "We knew this was a big game today, I knew it was important to get some points on the board," Thomas said. "I do everything I can to keep everyone ready to go on every play. I have a lot of trust in my teammates."In addition to the scoring, DiFranco had an interception right before the half. "Our defensive schemes work and we trust them," DiFranco said. "It's a whole team effort when someone gets an interception. That means everyone is playing their position well."The Middies could have had an even bigger defensive moment, but Molly Ockuly's interception return that appeared to go for a touchdown was ruled down by an inadvertent whistle. Amherst (3-2) got its lone score on an Olivia Ford touchdown pass to Sarai Hussien-Bey. The Middies will face the league's other unbeaten, Sandusky, on Friday at Amherst. The Blue Streaks improved to 5-0 with a 20-6 win over Elyria. Avon Lake won a pair of games and knocked Strongsville from the ranks of the undefeated, beating the Mustangs 34-16 and then finishing the day with a 14-6 win over Elyria Catholic. The Shoregals (6-1) fell behind early against Strongsville, but a long touchdown run by freshman Ja'maria Williams put Avon Lake on the board and quickly shifted the momentum. Williams also intercepted a pass on the Mustangs' first possession of the second half, setting up her team on a short field to extend its 14-8 halftime lead. "I got the ball and I ran hard," Williams said. "I felt good about that play and I was able to do my beautiful celebration after. This is a good win for our team. We've been playing well."Avon Lake's Brienna Droke was a star on both sides of the ball, throwing three touchdown passes, two to Kendall Bodnar, and returning an interception for the final score of the game. "This was an amazing team we played and everyone on our team contributed to the win," Droke said. "The defense played a big role and everyone on the team played their part."After Strongsville scored on its opening drive, the Shoregals held the Mustangs without a first down on their next three possessions."Our theme for Sunday has been starting slow and finishing fast," Avon Lake coach Joshua Trexler said. "Hopefully we can switch that around the next couple weeks and get off to fast starts."(Brienna) does a good job of seeing the field. She's a jack of all trades. I can put her anywhere and she does a great job. She's able to respond to adversity and roll with the punches."Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-1735 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.SCORESAvon Lake 34, Strongsville 16Cloverleaf 20, Oberlin 6Elyria Catholic 20, Black River 0Sandusky 20, Elyria 6Midview 22, Amherst 6Avon Lake 14, Elyria Catholic 6Strongsville 30, Black River 0