Potters Drop Opener to Beavers

29-22 was the final score at Patterson Field.  Disappointing result but it was clear the Potters have made clear improvement on offense from last season.  Willie Leavell is really growing into the quarterback role, the line is blocking people, Preston Foster is a good speed back, Travis Coon is a good multi-purpose slash player, and Jason Bahen is a good deep receiving threat if for no other reason than he has a distinct height advantage on high school cornerbacks.  Unfortunately, the defense still needs to get better.  It was painfully obvious that Beaver Local could only run the ball up the middle.  They don’t have the speed to go wide and I’m not sure they’re capable of the forward pass.  Only pass they tried all night, technically a lateral at that, was intercepted and set up a Potter TD at the end of the 1st half.

It looked bleak early as the Beavers ran the ball right down on a 50 yarder for a TD and the Potters 2nd possession had a penalty and a punt.  Beaver was forced to punt their next possession, though, and the Potters were able to drive the field with some solid wide run plays and 4th down conversions to tie the game on a Leavall keeper.  Beaver fumbled on their next possession but got a goal line stand and drove the ball 99 yards.  After a Potter punt the above said interception gave the Potters the ball around midfield with about 30 seconds left.  They hit a bomb to Bahen and spiked the ball with 10 seconds left before hitting Bahen in the end zone.  The PAT snap was bad but the holder picked it up and ran wide right for the end zone and the Potters led 15-14 at halftime.

East Liverpool got the 2nd half kickoff and went down the field and scored on a Travis Coon 27 yard deft run to lead 22-14.  Unfortunately, Beaver Local ran the ball right down the field for a TD and ran it right up the middle for 2 to tie at 22.  The Potters had a bad possession and Beaver Local ran the ball right down the field again to lead 29-22.  A Potter possession fizzled in Beaver Local territory and ended on a busted play incomplete pass on 4th down.  Beaver Local got one 1st down before being forced to punt with less than 2 minutes left and the Potters took over at their own 15.  They were able to move it downfield on a few nice 10-15 yard pass plays but eventually ran short on time.  With 5 seconds left and about 30 yards out Leavall got pressure and had to throw his bomb to Jason Bahen a scosh early and the defender was able to make a play on the ball in the end zone.  Oh well.  Definite improvement on offense for the Potters and it was at least an enjoyable game to watch.  Will try to get in the win column next Friday night hosting Cleveland Heights at Patterson Field.