Port Clinton pulls away from Edison

MILAN — Special teams have a funny way of heavily swinging momentum in favor of one team or another. That was certainly the case in Port Clinton's 51-16 win over Edison on Friday at Freedom Field. Chargers kicker Valo Lewis drilled a 29-yard field goal with 4:46 to play in the third quarter, tying the score at 16. That came after a 13-play, 68-yard drive that stalled at the Redskins' 12. Edison was unable to convert on third-and-7 at the 12, leaving them with no choice but to take the points. The Chargers took 7:14 off the clock in the third quarter on the drive, but it would be the last time they seriously threatened. From there, Port Clinton (7-1, 2-1 NOC Bay) outscored Edison 35-0 to finish out the game. Late in the third quarter, with the Redskins facing fourth-and-goal at the Chargers' 2, Port Clinton came out in a two-tight set in the I-formation. Landon Leis pitched it left to Jace Cornell, who was just able to clear the goal line. He was close to being turned away, but the official ruled late that Cornell did cross the line for the touchdown and Adam Fitt's extra point pushed the lead to 23-16. The drive only covered 33 yards because Elliot Laird returned the kick 42 yards deep into Edison territory. "The returns are always big for us," Port Clinton coach Kevin Huntley said. "It's important when you are able to win the field position battle without the offense or defense touching the field. (Special teams) has been a big part of our balance as an overall team." On the first play of the fourth quarter with Edison (2-6, 0-2) facing a second-and-3 from its 49, a pitch from Evan Schnittker to Granstyn Yamanouchi went awry. The ball was recovered by Redskins defensive lineman Liam Johnson. "You try to keep the pressure on a young team. They are a very disciplined, well-coached team," Huntley said. "However, you hope that eventually they make an error and you have to be able to capitalize. We were fortunate the opportunity presented itself and we were able to capitalize." On the first play from the Edison 46, Leis looked deep for Martez Wilson, who readjusted and caught the ball at the 10 before breaking a tackle and waltzing into the end zone. That pushed the lead to 14 points following the extra point. It was the second time the two hooked up for a touchdown. Port Clinton got the ball back and drove 62 yards in just three plays with Cameron Lanier in at quarterback. On second-and-8 at the Chargers' 48, Lanier found Lucas Bodie out in the flat and he raced untouched for a touchdown. That essentially put the game out of reach, 37-16, with 9:24 left to play. Wilson was one of many players that were integral in the Redskins getting the victory. "It is very important to have a number of contributions," Huntley said. "We preach to the team that it takes all of us to win, so when we have shared success, it reinforces the work put in by many of the players throughout the week." Wilson intercepted a pass on the ensuing possession, returning it 37 yards to the Edison 4. Leis scored on a three-yard touchdown run two plays later, pushing the lead to 28 points. The Redskins added another touchdown in garbage time. It was an impressive effort by the Port Clinton defense, which limited the Chargers to just three points in the second half and won the turnover battle, 3-0. "We were having some trouble with some of our keys early on. We were able to go in at the half and get it corrected. The kids responded well," Huntley said. "The coaches were great and identified the necessary changes, and we got it right for the second half. The team feeds off one another. "When one side can get a little juice, the rest of the team feeds on it and everyone gets going. The defense has been able to do that for us a number of times this season." In the first half, there were three lead changes. Edison began the game's second possession at its 29 and gained 16 yards on the drive before Schnittker punted 51 yards as the ball died at the Port Clinton 4. The Redskins gained only three yards and Fitt's 49-yard punt was returned 21 yards by Parker, who gave the Chargers the ball at the Port Clinton 30. Two plays later, Yamanouchi took a pitch from Schnittker and went virtually untouched into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. However, the snap on the extra point was low and Edison was unable to score, leaving the Chargers with a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The teams traded possessions before Gage Sandwisch returned a punt 20 yards, which ended with a face mask penalty on Edison. That gave the Redskins a first down at the Chargers' 20. Four plays later on second-and-goal, Beckett Mizener scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Fitt's extra point gave Port Clinton a 7-6 lead with 39 seconds to play in the first quarter. The Redskins got the ball back, but the drive stalled at midfield. Fitt's punt went 46 yards before stopping at the Port Clinton 4. Two plays later from the 7, Schnittker's pitch to Yamanouchi missed its intended target, though the running back recovered the fumble in the end zone, ensuring a safety for the Redskins. That pushed PC's lead to 9-6 with 6:35 to play in the first half. Laird returned the kickoff 27 yards to the Edison 27. Port Clinton gained 11 yards to the 16, but a sack and an incomplete pass on fourth-and-20 gave the ball back to the Chargers. Edison needed just five plays to travel 74 yards with the key play resulting in a 15-yard penalty on pass interference, which gave the Chargers the ball at the Redskins' 42. Schnittker hit Yamanouchi for a 26-yard gain to get the ball to the 16, which set up the next play. After taking the snap, Schnittker rolled right and lofted a beautiful pass to Grant Parker, who was just able to keep his feet inbounds on the right side of the end zone with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter. Carter Jones' extra point gave the Chargers the lead again at 13-9. A 45-yard kickoff return by Christian Miller gave Port Clinton the ball at the Edison 42. Leis connected with Wilson on a quick slant from three yards out, which was followed up by Fitt's extra point. The key play of the drive came when Leis hit Dylan Reynolds on a quick slant on third-and-2 at the 23. Two plays later, the Redskins scored with six seconds to play before the half.