RAVENNA—Big plays and big-time players helped Cuyahoga Heights defeat Warren JFK in a regional semifinal on Saturday for the second consecutive season.
Sam Shafer accounted for four touchdowns—two through the air and two on the ground—and Jason Bartosik caught five passes for 179 yards and two scores to lead the Redskins to the 33-14 win that sent Cuyahoga Heights to the Division VII regional championship game for the fifth consecutive season.
A Ryan Selig interception set up Cuyahoga Heights’ first touchdown, a 26-yard strike from Shafer to Ryan Polack to give the Redskins an early 7-0 lead. Shafer then ran for a 1-yard touchdown but the Eagles blocked the extra point to keep the score at 13-0.
A 60-yard touchdown run pulled JFK to within 13-7 but the Redskins responded with a big play of their own when Shafer and Bartosik connected on a 72-yard scoring toss. Again, the Eagles answered, this time with a 24-yard scoring pass to cut the Heights lead to 20-14.
Shafer closed out the half with a two-yard touchdown run but the Redskins failed to convert the two-point try and led 26-14 at the break.
Warren JFK’s defense stepped up to open the second half by forcing a three-and-out at the Cuyahoga Heights 45.
But, a favorable defensive alignment prompted Bartosik to signal an audible to Polack, who was set up to punt. Instead of booting the ball away, Polack threw a pass to Bartosik who went on to score on a 55-yard reception to close out the scoring.
Cuyahoga Heights’ defense also came up with a big play in stopping the Eagles on fourth-and-goal from the Redskins’ eight.
The Redskins, who improved to 10-1 overall, will play Lucas in the regional championship game on Saturday at a location to be determined.
