H.S. Football Playoffs: Avon O-line getting stronger during postseason run

STRONGSVILLE — The opponent doesn't matter. The weather doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter who is lined up in the backfield. The one constant for Avon in its 2024 playoff run has been its ability to run the ball with ease. The Eagles rushed for over 300 yards for the second week in a row in Friday's 41-10 Division II, Region 6 semifinal win over Wadsworth. During that span, Avon (13-0) has rushed for 620 yards and 10 touchdowns with five ballcarriers finding the end zone. "Going into the week we knew to do anything we have to be able to run the football," senior offensive linemen Jeremiah Kelly said. "Our goal was to jump on them early and I feel like we did that really well tonight." Kelly, along with fellow linemen Connor Bingham, Addison Hanna, Eian Englehart and Max Hauck, opened giant holes all night for Avon's running backs and allowed quarterback Nolan Good all of the time he needed to find his receivers downfield. "No team is good with a great front five," said Good, a Kent State commit. "The O-line was spectacular tonight. I couldn't ask for anything more. I am just so happy to be behind guys like that." Avon had four runs of 30 or more yards in the game, all coming from different backs. "We were playing until the echo of the whistle," Bingham said. "We played with an edge and an attitude that we carried throughout the whole game."It a great feeling when we see the guys break off big runs. Nothing better than seeing them run down for 50 yards. It give the guys a bit of a breather." There was some who felt Avon's offensive line was a question mark early in the season when the Eagles were held to 21 or fewer points in two of their first three games. In recent weeks, the line has came into its own and the Eagles have scored over 40 points in seven straight wins. "Our offensive line early on in the season was under fire," Avon coach Mike Elder said. "They were questioned about their toughness and their willingness to block until the echo of the whistle. They've gone to work and gotten better every single day. We have a really good unit up there." If Avon is to achieve its goal of winning its first state title, the line's work is only halfway done. The Eagles will need to win three more games to have the opportunity to celebrate in Canton on Dec. 5. "We have to do what we can to recover and stay healthy," said Kelly, a University of Cincinnati commit. "We have to clean up some mistakes, but it's just a matter of working and getting better every week." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.