WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — It may not have been a game that will be put in an art museum, but any win in such a bitter rivalry has got to feel sweet.
The Willoughby South Rebels took down the Eastlake North Rangers 10-7 Friday night in the WKYC.com High School Football Game of the Week. It was the 60th meeting between the two in-district foes, and could play a big role in the race for the Division II playoffs.
Rico Small, an Eastern Michigan commit, scored the only touchdown of the game for South (4-1) with an incredible 57-yard catch on a pass from Justin Grosel. Sam Patrizi had previously added a field goal to give the Rebels a 10-0 halftime lead.
It appeared as if North was finding its grove when quarterback Dylan Froelich found the endzone from 15 yards out early in the second half to cut it to three. However, neither team scored again, and the Rangers were done in by some costly miscues as well.
Willoughby South remains a huge threat for the postseason and will travel to defending D-III state champion Kenston next week. Eastlake North, meanwhile, will host Painesville Riverside.
Check out some photos from the night below, and re-listen to Dave "Dino" DeNatale's call of the action.
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