Chagrin Falls' offensive fireworks too much for Woodridge

Tim Warsinskey, Plain Dealer Reporter, November 22, 2009 1:55 p.m.

Chagrin Falls’ Chris Gorman, right, bulls his way past Woodridge’s Sebastian Dodds (4) for some of the Tigers’ 618 yards of offense gained during their 58-28 win Saturday night. - (Tim Harrison/Special to The Plain Dealer)

TWINSBURG, Ohio -- Not getting enough touchdowns from your local professional football team?

There's no shortage in the high school scene.

A fall that might long be remembered for its embarrassment of offensive riches in Northeast Ohio blushed with even more wealth Saturday night in Chagrin Falls' 58-28 victory over Woodridge in a Division IV regional final at Twinsburg.

One night after Lake Catholic and Maple Heights combined to score 79 points in separate Division II championship wins, Chagrin Falls beat the drum even louder for the area's prolific, non-Division I teams headed to this week's state semifinals.

Chagrin Falls (13-0), winner of its first regional title, plays next Saturday against Ottawa-Glandorf (11-2) at a site to be determined.

The Tigers had 618 yards total offense against an aggressive Bulldogs defense, including three 100-yard rushers: quarterback Chris Trinetti (130), fullback Bobby Winkelman (104) and wide receiver Chris Geraci (101).

Trinetti scored Chagrin Falls' first four touchdowns rushing, and he threw two touchdown passes, giving him 11 combined TDs the past two weeks. He had 228 total yards against Woodridge.

Geraci, a wide receiver/defensive back, caught TD passes of 31 and 35 yards, scored on a 49-yard run, and recovered a fumble. He had 172 total yards.

Too bad they don't play on Sundays, eh?

"We have so many weapons," senior tight end/defensive Connor Clegg said. "You stop Geraci, we have [running back Chris] Gorman. You stop Gorman, we have Bobby Winkelman.

"We have different packages and we can run it down your throat or air it out."

Even with all that offense, a nod must go to Chagrin Falls' defense. Limiting Woodridge's top-fuel offense to 28 points was a small victory, as well. The Tigers forced four turnovers, including interceptions by Nate Lelonis and Clegg, and Dan Driscoll's fumble recovery.

Woodridge senior tailback Anthony Kelly shook off a first-half leg injury and rushed for 219 yards and two TDs.

The Bulldogs, making their first playoff run, finished 10-3.

"When we first got here four years ago, nobody ever thought this could happen," Bulldogs coach Eric Ervin said. "I'll remember these seniors for a long time."

Chagrin Falls stumbled out of the gate and fell behind, 14-7. But when the first half ended, it had a 30-14 lead, the offense had 315 yards, Trinetti had touchdowns runs of 14, 3, 12, and 13 yards, and the defense had two interceptions.

Chagrin Falls totaled 460 yards in 32-26 win over Woodridge on Sept. 11.

"Trinetti is the X factor," Ervin said. "We couldn't stop him the first game; we couldn't stop him this game. He's a great player. That's why they're regional champs."