With about 17 regular players seeing little playing time in the first team until August 23, Olmsted Falls is trying to get back on track.

The inexperienced Bulldogs were trailing 13-10 against Solon in the fourth quarter. After a touchdown to take the lead, the defense needed one last stop.

The Comets worked their way into field goal position. They lined up for a long field goal, and then sophomore Mason Cerovac blocked the field goal that could have tied the game, leading to the win.

This is Cerovac’s first year as a football player, as he has found an important role on the defensive line. According to coach Tom DeLuca, he has blocked two field goals and made nine tackles.

“(Cerovac) has all the tools. He’s 220 pounds, 6-3 and can run,” DeLuca said. “The most important thing about him is that he plays so instinctively that you can’t teach that.”

He is one of many players who will receive their first significant playing time after Olmsted Falls reaches the Division II, Region 6 semifinals in 2023.

DeLuca said there are some aspects that need to be improved, but expressed optimism that this can be done even in high-pressure situations.

“The inexperience showed a little last night and they grew up,” DeLuca said. “The biggest takeaway is that they showed grit in the second half. They fought back, drove all the way down the field and scored (early in the second half). They needed to score on the last drive.”

In a showdown between two teams focused on the running game, the Bulldogs and Comets fought a defensive battle.

Owen Singleton was Olmsted Falls’ leading player, accounting for 103 of the team’s 184 rushing yards. He and quarterback Jimmy Rosol scored touchdowns.

Solon led 7-3 at halftime. Keeping Solon’s weapons in check was DeLuca’s top priority.

“(Solon) had some big guys up front and a good running attack,” he said. “They really adapted their plays to that. We’re similar … They tried to establish the run and used their play game. They had some weapons. I thought our defense ran the ball well. I thought we defended really well last night.”

Olmsted Falls improved to 1-0 and will now face Brunswick on the road again (August 30). Solon fell to 0-1.