Hermes leads Edison past PC

MILAN — Edison's triple-option offense is challenging enough to defend, regardless of the athletes they have in the backfield. But this team, with the likes of Cy Finnen, Bryson Wittmer, Cadyn Clere and Luke Blatnik — who recently broke his collarbone but has hopes of returning this season — as the running backs, it is only that much tougher to prepare for and hold the Chargers offense in check, much less stop. Port Clinton found that out the hard way in its 41-7 loss to Edison on Friday night at Freedom Field. It was a big victory for the Chargers (8-0, 2-0 SBC Bay) coming off its 15-14 win over Perkins last week. But Edison coach Jim Hall didn't want to allow his team to have a setback against the Redskins. "We talked about that coming off the win (against Perkins)," he said. "We knew there was the opportunity for a letdown. Our coaches did a great job with the game plan and defending Port Clinton's spread offense. We competed well in practice, and coming in, we thought we'd play well." In addition to the four fine running backs, the X-factor in all of this could be the quarterback, Abe Hermes. Known for being one of Ohio's finest wrestlers, the 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior has excelled under center this season. Hermes ran for a 65-yard touchdown on Edison's first play from scrimmage and Alex Davidson's extra point gave Edison the lead for good at 7-0. On the play, Hermes faked a handoff to the fullback, darted right and raced untouched to the end zone. Hermes completed 11-of-14 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns while rushing six times for 98 yards and a score. "We put together a game plan to use his abilities. He's very smart, he understands schemes, and he's got a good arm," said Hall. "And he's good at running the ball, which is key." Edison's second drive was 80 yards in eight plays, ending with Cy Finnen running it in for a touchdown from six yards out with 52 seconds to play in the first quarter. The key play on the drive was a 29-yard pass from Hermes to Davin Wendt on second-and-22 from the Port Clinton 45-yard-line. After nearly blocking a punt in the end zone following a high snap, the Chargers got the ball at the Redskins 42, and three plays into the drive faced a fourth-and-3 at the 35. Hermes faked a handoff to the fullback, ran left and got the first down before fumbling the ball, but Clere picked it up and was tackled at the 20. After a false start, Hermes threw a beautiful pass in a tight window to Wendt for a 25-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 21 points. "We have good wide receivers, we like to get them the ball," said Hall. "We want to put as much pressure on the defense as we can." On the ensuing drive, the Edison defense forced a three-and-out, and on its next play from its 44, Hermes connected with Grayson Smith for a 39-yard pass. Three plays later, Finnen scored on a 16-yard touchdown run, making it 27-0. The final Chargers touchdown of the first half came on third-and-7 from the Port Clinton 10 when Hermes eluded pressure and ran briefly before scanning the field and finding Wendt wide open on a drag route for the score. In the third quarter, Wittmer, who returned after missing last week's game due to an injury suffered two weeks ago against Bellevue, scored on a 40-yard touchdown run. "It was great to have (Wittmer) back. I know he was anxious to get back," said Hall. "He's playing through some injuries. He's a bonus for us. He's working his way back into it." Edison, ranked No. 3 in Division V, has 11 seniors, among them Hermes, Wendt, Blatnik and Finnen. It's a very talented, experienced group. "This group has a lot of experience, they've played a lot of football. They have high goals, high standards, and they know the preparation it takes," said Hall. "We keep reminding them of those things. They just have to work hard and focus." Port Clinton 0 0 0 7 — 7 Edison 14 20 7 0 — 41 E — Abe Hermes 65 run (Alex Davidson kick) E — Cy Finnen 6 run (Davidson kick) E — Davin Wendt 25 pass from Hermes (Davidson kick) E — Finnen 16 run (kick failed) E — Wendt 10 pass from Hermes (Davidson kick) E — Bryson Wittmer 40 run (Davidson kick) PC — Wyatt Yarbrough 28 run (Gabe Koskela kick)