Sports

Solon Comets Win Home Opener, Defeating Akron Buchtel 28-2

Comets rise to 3-0 on young season

The Solon Comets have rolled so far this season, and Friday was no exception.

The Comets defeated Akron Buchtel 28-2, rising to 3-0 on the young season. It was the first home game of the year.

"We love playing here," said head coach Jim McQuaide. "It's a great place to play. We were playing a good team with some good players.

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Led by quarterback Pat Kramer, the Comets took to the air Friday. Kramer threw the ball all over the field, completing long passes for first downs and throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tres Barksdale.

Twice in the first half, Kramer moved the chains by completing long passes to receiver Anthony Restifo, one was third and 10, the other was third and 12. Both drives ended with Comet touchdowns.

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"He's a veteran guy," McQuaide said of his quarterback. "He played last year. We want to be balanced on offense, but if something is working we're going to go with it."

Solon again got a great special teams contribution from Darian Hicks, who returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown for the second time this season.

Also scoring for the Comets was George Berry on a five-yard run and Nick Davidson on a 1-zyard rush.

Hicks was also involved in the craziest play of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Hicks intercepted a Buchtel pass at the goal line, returning it 100 yards the other way and nearly scoring. A Buchtel player tackled him just before the goal line and Hicks fumbled the ball out of the back of the endzone.

That was a touchback, giving the ball back to Buchtel.

After the play, Hicks came up limping.

"It was a cramp," McQuaide said. "He's fine."

So far, the games have gone Solon's way this season. They've outscored their opponents 96-15 so far. The offense has moved the ball almost at will and the defense has been punishing.

Still, McQuaide says the Comets need to get more consistent if they want to accomplish their goals this season.

For example, tonight the Comets fumbled twice – including one they lost in the red zone – and also gave up a safety when a high long-snap slipped from the fingers of punter Alex Knight.

"Most of the time we play pretty well, but sometimes we let up," McQuaide said. "We need our consistency to improve."

Solon takes on North Royalton next Friday at home.


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