Lake County Sentinel
South runs over Firestone 49-7
BY JOEY SCHNEIDER
STAFF
(WILLOUGHBY, OH) - "Monumental". That was the one word South's Head Coach Matt Duffy said about what this win would mean moving forward in the season, as the (2-2) Willoughby South Rebels beat the (0-4) Firestone Falcons, 49-7 at Harry E. Winters Stadium on Friday. South came into the season with lofty goals and high expectations, but suffered injuries and were without six starters in the last two games. Both losses. "We finally have some guys back this week. We hopefully will continue to get our guys back and stay healthy", said Coach Duffy said ahead of the game.
The Rebels looked as if they had something to prove as they stopped the Falcons in a three and out on the first drive. It was all Rebels after that. South senior running back Jayden Hardy scored the first two touchdowns of the game. The first a one-yard score, then a four-yard push up the middle. "We have to capitalize on every opportunity, follow the offensive line. That's it," Hardy said about the preparations during the week for the game. Hardy finished the game with 11 carries, for 76 yards, and two touchdowns.
South junior quarterback Luke Jensen continued his great season going three for four through the air for 49 yards and two touchdowns, including one to his younger brother, sophomore Josh Jensen. Jensen also scrambled for a 64-yard touchdown run as the pocket collapsed on him in the second quarter. "We went into the game with a chip on our shoulder. It's not the start we wanted and we needed to get back on track going into next week." said Jensen. When asked if there was a family rivalry with younger brother Josh, "Absolutely, we've been battling since we were kids, but that's just turned into success on the field" he added with a big smile.
The Rebels defense was a brick wall all night with two fumble recoveries, including a scoop and score by senior defensive back Dave Griffus, and an interception by senior Marcellus Love.
Willoughby South ended the first half leading 49-0. The running clock started in the second half and South had already made the decision to play their second and third team players. The Firestone Falcons never gave up. Playing through some injuries themselves, they were determined to get a score and did with 3:01 left in the third quarter as quarterback Donniven Younger threw a quick out pass to senior Gucciano Stephens and took it 29-yards for the touchdown. The Rebels just proved to be too much.
"The kids had a really good week of practice after two tough weeks, and tough losses. We were fortunate enough to get some guys back who haven't played in a couple weeks. The kids really focused in on improving the things we needed to do. I think we did that, and cleaned things up, and they really responded to the things we had them do in practice." South's Matt Duffy said after the game.
The Willoughby South Rebels will be at home again next week looking to improve to 3-2 on the year as they host the (3-1) Maple Heights Mustangs. Firestone will again be in the area as they are on the road taking on the (2-2) Mayfield Wildcats. Both game are on September 19th with 7:00 pm start times..
POSTED 09/12/2025 23:36
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Photo by Joey Schneider
