STOW — Over the years, just about everything has happened when its Stow vs. Hudson football.
However, the end of game Sept. 19 between the two rivals was a first.
With 9:18 left in the game, Bulldog Stadium was plunged into darkness due to blown transformer in the area. With power unlikely to be restored, the coaches chose to end the game, giving Hudson a 35-0 win.
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Both Stow coach Martin Poder and athletic director Cyle Feldman said no one was injured in the blackout.
“Just like the lights going out and having to deal with that, that is a reminder that … at any moment, the game can get taken away from you,” Poder said. “It’s another life lesson, even though it’s a scientific lesson this time.”
Prior to the blackout, Hudson (4-1, 2-0) had been playing lights out football, taking advantage of just about every Stow mistake.
Hudson’s first two touchdowns came off interceptions in the first quarter. Christopher Horner ran in a 70-yard TD followed by quarterback Hayden Lipinski running in a 5-yard TD.
The backbreaker for Stow came in the final minute of the first half.
First, Hudson completed a short drive when Lipinski escaped a sack and hit Brennan Funyak for a 28-yard TD with 58 seconds left.
After Stow (2-3, 0-2) went three-and-out and were forced to punt, Anthony Paolucci returned the punt 58 yards for a TD, making it 28-0 at the half.
Hudson scored the knockout blow when it took more than seven minutes off the clock to start the second half. The drive ended with Lipinksi throwing a 17-yard TD pass to Nathan Judy.
Lipinski had an efficient night, going 12-of-16 for 149 yards and 2 TDs.
Stow did decent job limiting Hudson running back Reno Ferri to 17 yards rushing in seven carries, but Stow’s offense never got going. Hudson finished with a 300-64 edge in total offense.
“We are not giving ourselves a chance to win,” Poder said. “I’m not taking anything away from Hudson. For us, I felt like last year were not giving ourselves even a chance.”
Here is how the game went in live updates.
Hudson football wins the blackout game 35-0 over Stow
Just about everything has happened in the Stow-Hudson rivalry, but tonight is a first.
The game has been called with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter because of a blackout in and around Bulldog Stadium. Hudson wins by a final of 35-0.
Lights out at the Bulldog Stadium
We’ve got a blackout here at Stows Bulldog Stadium. The game has been brought to a pause with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter.
Hudson football in command of Stow 35-0 through three quarters
Hudson defense forced a turnover on down at the end the third quarter. The Explorers will start the fourth quarter with first and 10 at the Stow 29.
Hudson football opens second half with long TD drive
Hudson’s offense showed it can drive long, as it took more than seven minutes off the clock to start the second half.
Hayden Lipinski went 6-of-6 passing on the drive and capped it with a 17-yard TD pass to Nathan Judy at the goal line. Ian Katz hits the PAT to give Hudson a 35-0 lead with 4:36 left in the third quarter, invoking the running clock
Halftime statistics for Hudson-Stow football
Punt return gives Hudson 28-0 lead over Stow at the half
Hudson took a time out to force a late punt from Stow and Anthony Paolucci took full advantage.
Paolucci took the ball at the Hudson 42, sprinted right and galloped 58 yards for the TD. Ian Katz hit the PAT with 4 seconds left in the half.
Hudson takes a 28-0 lead into the half. The Explorers will receive the second-half kickoff.
Hudson football finds end zone through the air
Thanks to a little magic from Hayden Lipinski, Hudson reached the end zone for the third time.
Lipinski escaped two would-be tacklers and found Brennan Funyak open on the sideline. Funyak bounced off a tackle and ran in a 29-yard TD pass. Ian Katz hit the PAT to make it 21-0 Explorers with 58 seconds left in the first half.
Hudson football doubles lead after interception
Hudson has turned two interceptions in the 14 points.
After Kyler Boyle scored a pick off a deflected ball at the Stow 29, Hudson punched it in with a 5-yard TD run from QB Hayden Lipinski. Ian Katz hit the PAT to make it 14-0 Hudson with a 10:12 left in the first quarter.
Hudson football leads Stow 7-0 after one quarter
Hudson is driving after a second interception, this time in the Stow half of the field. Hudson will open the second quarter with third-and-5 at the Stow 25.
Bad snap sets up Stow football, but Hudson picks it off
A pair of miscues by each team have kept the game at 0-0 early.
Stow’s defense forced a three-and-out and a bad snap forced kicker Ian Katz to the punt the ball out of the end zone. The ball went out at the 15-yard line.
Three plays later, however, Hudson’s Trent Smith picked off Jake Harrington at the Hudson 3.
Hudson then took the lead when backup QB Christopher Horner ran left for a 70-yard TD run.. Katz hit the PAT to make it 7-0 Hudson with 2:03 left in the first quarter.
Stow football wins the coin toss and will receive
Stow won the coin toss on its homecoming night and opted to receive the opening kickoff. Hudson will defend the north goal in the first quarter.
Who are the key players for Stow football?
Stow’s offense is based around four-year starter Jake Harrington at quarterback. Harrington has numerous weapons around him, including running back Caden Boyd. The Bulldogs’ deep threat is wide receiver Daylon Keeling, and Andrew Rickelman has made an impact on both sides of the ball for Stow.
Who are the key players for Hudson football?
The backbone of Hudson’s offense is running back Reno Ferri, who ran for 180 yards and a TD in Week 4, though Brennan Funyak also has contributed at running back along with his defensive duties. While Nathan Judy has concentrated on his linebacking duties, Hayden Lipinksi has done a solid job as Hudson’s new quarterback.
Contact Michael Leonard at mleonard@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA football scores | Stow vs Hudson high school game ends early in blackout, recap
Reporting by Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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