Friday Night Fireworks: Kenston and VASJ’s Gridiron Duel
In a game that promised fireworks, the Kenston Bombers and Vasj Vikings did not disappoint. Both teams came into the match undefeated. However, the Bombers, led by the sensational Sean Patrick, took flight immediately, setting the tone for a game that would be remembered for its electrifying plays.
The game ignited with Sean Patrick returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. "There was a lot of hype going into this game just because of the names that each team had," Patrick reflected post-game. "I knew if we started off fast early, we had a high chance to win, so my kickoff return felt great and I felt that set the tone."
However, the Vikings weren't about to be overshadowed. Despite an interception by Kenston's Tymir Cardona, VASJ’s Kylan Stueball connected with Brian Kortovich for a 58-yard pass, setting the stage for Amani Powell to rush in for a touchdown. The first quarter was a rollercoaster, with Patrick adding two more touchdowns to his tally. One of these was a great 13-yard run where he showcased his agility and vision. "On that run, the linebacker filled my main gap," Patrick explained, "and my O-Line was making great blocks, so I bounced it back... and saw a hole and took it."
The second quarter saw both teams trading blows. Kenston's Lucas Kaltenbach and Cardona combined for a long touchdown pass, while VASJ's Stueball and Kortovich continued their aerial assault. Tylin Cardona, reflecting on his long touchdown catch, said, "I rep that play a ton and I saw the matchup and was like, 'throw me the ball.' The line gave our QB time to throw and he threw it up and I made a play and scored."
The half ended with a Hail Mary attempt by Kenston, intercepted by VASJ's Dante Landers, leaving the score at 35-27 in favor of the Bombers.
The second half saw Kenston pull away, with quarterback Kaltenbach and the unstoppable Patrick adding to the scoreboard. "My goals for the season is to continue to get better with my team and keep stacking wins so we can take a trip to Canton and win it all," Patrick emphasized, hinting at the team's aspirations.
Despite their best efforts, VASJ couldn't catch up to the Bombers. Sean Patrick had a standout performance, scoring 5 touchdowns and collecting over 300 total yards. Cardona contributed with 2 interceptions and added a receiving touchdown. Tylin Cardona spoke about his relationship with Patrick, saying, "Me and Sean, man, that’s my guy. I love that kid. It's like playing with your big brother out there." The game ended with the Bombers winning 49-27.
As the dust settles on this exhilarating match-up, both teams are already setting their sights on the challenges ahead. VASJ, eager to bounce back, will lock horns with the undefeated Gilmour Academy, a contest that promises its own set of fireworks. Meanwhile, Kenston, riding high on their victory, is gearing up for a prime-time Thursday night showdown against the formidable 3-1 Lake Catholic Cougars.