Glenville holds on, moves on to state semifinal

Bob Fortuna, Plain Dealer Reporter, November 22, 2009 5 a.m.

Glenville’s Christian Bryant and Terry Hasberry bring down a Solon runner during the Tarblooders’ 28-27 win Saturday night in Parma. - (Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer)

PARMA, Ohio -- Glenville's quick-hit offense came close to taking a huge hit of its own Saturday night.

The Tarblooders watched their 28-7 halftime lead dwindle but held on for a 28-27 Division I regional final win over Solon at Byers Field in Parma.

The win puts Glenville (12-1) into next Saturday's 7 p.m. state semifinal game against Massillon (10-3) at Akron's InfoCision Stadium.

"We told our kids at halftime we were here to play 13 games, not 121/2 games," said Solon head coach Jim McQuaide, who had standout tailback Kyle Hammonds sidelined with a sprained ankle. "I congratulate Glenville but I give our guys a ton of credit, too."

The Tarblooders, who will make only their second state semifinal appearance in the program's history, tied the game at 7-7 with 1:33 left in the first quarter en route to reeling off 28 unanswered points before intermission.

Junior quarterback Cardale Jones completed seven of 12 first-half passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He finished with an 8-of-15 effort for 206 yards.

Jones connected with Latwan Anderson for a 36-yard completion, then a 17-yard pass to Shane Bell II before clicking with Shane Wynn for 4-yard scoring toss.

Jones then found Wynn for a 45-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter and marking the beginning of a 3-touchdown rally that ate up close to 4:30.

"They were splitting their safeties so we figured the play-action fake would be effective," Jones said.

The Comets, who limited the Tarblooders to 48 total yards in the second half, cut their deficit to 28-14 late in the third quarter thanks to Christian Jackson's 2-yard touchdown run.

Solon (12-1) received a huge boost when Brandon Smith recovered an Anderson fumble on the Tarblooders' 47 and the eight-play drive continued when Glenville was called for roughing the punter.

With the Comets in a Wildcat formation, Chris Humphrey ran for a 3-yard touchdown off left tackle to make it a 28-21 game just three seconds into the fourth quarter.

Solon was knocking on the door two minutes later after being the beneficiary of a high snap on a Glenville punt attempt which punter Christian Bryant snagged with one hand but was tackled deep in his own territory.

Humphrey found the end zone two plays later on a 4-yard jaunt, only to have Kevin Hicks' extra-point kick attempt blocked by Glenville senior Jayrone Elliott.

"It was a low kick and I saw it coming," said Elliott. "I put my hands up and [the ball] hit my helmet."

The Comets had one last chance with seven seconds remaining but Hicks' 50-yard field goal attempt missed left.

To reach these Plain Dealer reporters: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665