HUDSON — When Nordonia traveled to to Hudson Oct. 17, the game had major implications in the Suburban League National Conference and Division II, Region 5 playoff races.
The playoffs felt like they started a couple weeks early.
Hudson rallied from a touchdown deficit four times in regulation, forced overtime and went on to defeat Nordonia 42-35 in double overtime.
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The Explorers (7-2, 5-1) clinched a home playoff game and put themselves in position for a first-round playoff bye.
“There’s a lot of things we’re going to look at and try to clean up, but I don’t want to take anything away from Nordonia,” Hudson coach Jeff Gough said. “Coach [Jeff] Fox has got them going again. You can see it throughout the years. They’ve been growing and we’ve been trying to grow.
“We just wanted to attack the drive, the way we do with every drive, and that’s the same mentality we took into overtime.”
Overtime was necessary because Hudson answered a last-minute Nordonia touchdown with one of its own.
With 53 seconds left, Nordonia quarterback Steven Fakult avoided a sack and found Dominick Jackson along the sideline. Jackson shook off a tackle and ran in a 43-yard TD pass to give the Knights a 28-21 lead.
However, Hudson answered on the next play from scrimmage when quarterback Hayden Lipinski found Louie Castellarin on a crossing route. Castellarin followed his blockers and raced down the sideline for a 71-yard TD, tying it 28-28 at the end of regulation.
“Nordonia always brings their best against us. It’s really fun to play them, honestly,” Castellarin said.
In overtime, Nordonia (6-3, 3-3) struck first when Fakult hit Collin Atha with a 10-yard TD pass. Fakult had another big night, going 24-of-38 passing for 334 yards with four TDs and a pick.
But Hudson answered for a fifth time, as Christopher Horner ran for a 4-yard TD from the quarterback spot to send it to double OT.
In the second OT, Horner scored again on a 3-yard run, though he was injured on the play. Horner led Hudson with 84 yards rushing and four TDs.
“It was a quick play,” Horner said. “It happened just like that. I took a helmet to the back. I was just happy I got in and the defense got a stop in overtime. It’s probably one of the best memories I’ll ever have.”
Hudson got the stop it needed after Nordonia recorded a first down on its double OT possession. On fourth-and-goal at the 10, Fakult was pressured and his pass over the middle deflected to the turf, giving Hudson the win.
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Hudson scores in second overtime, then holds Nordonia out to win 42-35
In the second OT, Hudson just took two plays to score. Christopher Horner ran for his fourth TD of the night, plunging in from 2 yards out. However, Horner was injured on the play and had to be assisted off the field. Ian Katz hit the PAT to make it 42-35.
Nordonia then got one first down, but on fourth-and-goal at the 10, Steven Fakult was pressured and his pass fell incomplete, giving Hudson the victory.
Nordonia and Hudson football each score TD in first overtime
Nordonia’s first possession in overtime ends with Steven Fakult hitting Collin Atha with a 10-yard TD pass and a PAT good.
Hudson answered with Christopher Horner running in his third TD of the night. He ran for a 4-yard TD from the quarterback spot. It’s 35-35 at the end of one OT. Hudson will get the ball to start the second OT.
Nordonia and Hudson football headed to overtime tied at 28-28
Two scores in the final minute of the game have sent this game to overtime tied at 28. Each team will start at the 20 in the first overtime. It looks like Hudson will start the first possession on defense after winning the coin toss.
Big plays by Nordonia and Hudson football tie the score 28-28
After converting on fourth down deep in its own territory, the Knights got a huge play to retake the lead again. Steven Fakult found Dominick Jackson on the sideline and Jackson turned it into a 42-yard TD.
However, on the next play from scrimmage, Hudson answered again. Hayden Lipinski found Louie Castellarin on the sideline and Castellarin turned it into a 71-yard TD pass. Ian hit the PAT with 33 seconds left in regulation.
Hudson responds again, goes to the air for TD
For the the third time this game, Hudson has erased a touchdown lead quickly.
The Explorers found the end zone through the air, as Hayden Lipinski hit with a 10-yard TD pass. Ian Katz hit the PAT to tie the score again at 21-21 with 4:06 left in regulation.
Nordonia football uses run game to retake the lead
This time, its Nordonia with the quick reply.
A little more than a minute after giving up the tying touchdown, Nordonia drove 80 yards, mixing up its plays. Connor Whapham completed the drive with an 8-yard TD un up the gut. Riley Edgehouse hit the PAT to make it 21-14 Nordonia with 8:12 left in the game.
Hudson football answers again, ties score at 14-14
For the second time tonight, Hudson answered a Nordonia touchdown in a hurry.
After a long kickoff return, the Explorers took advantage of the short field. Christopher Horner scored his second TD of the night, running for a 13-yard score off right tackle. Ian Katz hit the PAT to tie the score 14-14 with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter.
Nordonia football leads Hudson 14-7 at end of three quarters
The Knights have the lead, but the Explorers are driving after a long kickoff return to start the fourth quarter.
Nordonia football scores TD to retake the lead
The third time in the red zone in the third quarter was the charm for Nordonia.
QB Steven Fakult avoided the rush and found Karsen Fisher near the goal line and Fisher scored his second TD pass of the night from 14 yards out. Riley Edgehouse made the PAT to make it 14-7 Nordonia with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.
Nordonia football drives deep, but Hudson picks it off near goal line
Nordonia has had two trips inside the red zone in the third quarter, but has come up empty both times. After a missed 28-yard FG on its first drive, the Knights’ second drive ended when Hudson’s Trent Smith snagged a leaping interception at the Explorers 2. It was Smith’s second turnover of the game.
However, Nordonia’s defense has forced two quick thee-and-outs from the Explorers this half. It remains 7-7 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter.
Halftime statistics for Hudson-Nordonia football
Hudson and Nordonia football tied at 7-7 at the half
The Knights and Explorers each had one long TD drive and one missed FG in the first half, leaving it at 7-7. Nordonia will receive the second half kickoff.
Hudson football answers with a rushing TD
It didn’t take long for Hudson football to erase Nordonia’s lead.
Leaning on its rushing game, Hudson drove 80 yards and found then end zone when Christopher Horner ran in a 9-yard TD. Ian Katz hit the PAT to tie it a 7-7 with 11:37 left in the second quarter.
Nordonia football leads Hudson 7-0 after one quarter
Nordonia has the advantage after one quarter, but Hudson is driving. The Explorers open the second with second and 4 at the Nordonia 44.
Nordonia football reaches end zone first after long drive
A big momentum swing early has the Knights in front to start the game.
Nordonia lost a fumble on its own 5, but forced Hudson backwards, making them settle for a 36-yard FG attempt. The attempt went wide left.
Nordonia then went on a 14-play, 80 yard drive. QB Steven Fakult atoned for his fumble by hitting Karsen Fisher in the end zone with an 11-yard TD pass. Riley Edgehouse hit the PAT to make it 7-0 Knight with 1:22 left in the first quarter.
Nordonia football wins coin toss and defers; Hudson will receive
Nordonia football won the coin toss as has deferred to the second half. Hudson will receive the opening kickoff and defend the north goal in the first quarter.
Who are the key players for Hudson football?
Quarterback Hayden Lipinski has emerged as a solid leader for the Explorers. He ran for one TD and threw for another in the Explorers’ Week 8 win over Brecksville. Hudson’s running game has been spread between Reno Ferri, Brennan Funyak and Christopher Horner in recent weeks.
Funyak and Nathan Judy anchor a Hudson defense that has shut out four opponents this season.
Who are the key players for Nordonia football?
Quarterback Steven Fakult has been one of the breakout players of the season, having thrown for a school record 538 yard vs. North Royalton earlier this season. Karsen Fisher and Dominick Jackson are the Knights’ top receivers. Connor Whapham is Nordonia’s leading rusher and anchors the defense.
Suburban League National Conference standings through Week 8
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA football scores, Hudson vs. Nordonia high school recap, highlights
Reporting by Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
