Hubbard bounces Buckeye, 30-14

By John Bassetti

HUBBARD — After its 30-14 win over Medina Buckeye, the buzz among Hubbard fans was about the Steel Valley Conference days.

That’s because Hubbard will play an old SVC member from years ago: Mooney, next.

Matt Shelton passed for two touchdowns and ran for two via short runs to lead Hubbard (10-1) in its Division III, Region 9 game against the visiting Bucks (8-3).

The loss stopped Medina Buckeye’s eight-game winning streak, while Hubbard advances riding a 10-game streak.

Mike Starr was also a big part of the victory as the senior recovered two fumbles.

“Our team came up with some big plays and made some big hits when it needed them,” said Starr, a defensive end. “Fortunately, I was there to recover the ball. Our team, especially our defense, really stepped it up.”

Starr’s first fumble recovery led to Tommy Jackson’s 19-yard touchdown reception from Shelton that tied the game, 7-7, on the first play of the second quarter.

Hubbard benefitted from four fumbles and one interception, but — in the Eagles’ eyes — it was justice.

“We knew they were going to be a tough team, but they didn’t show us a sign of respect at the beginning of the game when they danced on our logo,” Starr said. “They came out with a kind of chip on their shoulders, so we smacked them a couple times, especially our safety, Mike Lopuchovsky, and linebacker, Tim Schiraldi, who had a couple big hits. We were just all over them.”

Dan Moffitt and Dom Dionisio had other fumble recoveries, while Danny Duvall had a late interception.

Shelton was 22 of 32 for 204 yards with Kurtis Drummond picking up 88 yards in receptions.

Hubbard didn’t take the lead until Moffitt’s recovery game at Medina’s 31 early in the third quarter. Shelton’s 16-yard pass to Blake Novotny, a 7-yard pass to Drummond and Novotny’s 5-yard run were the key plays ending with Shelton’s 3-yard TD run for a 20-14 lead.

Lopuchovsky’s 22-yard field goal and three point-after kicks accounted for Hubbard’s other points.

“Defensively, we played a solid game overall, although they got the big play right before the half on the tipped pass,” Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said a Mike Kelly TD catch in the end zone right before halftime that tied the game, 14-14.

“It was a big break, but it was a momentum-swinging event for their team going into halftime. We told the guys that they need to keep their composure. We were playing pretty good, defensively, and, offensively, we were moving the ball and drove the ball in the second half. At halftime, they were putting a ton of pressure on us — blitzing quite a bit, so we hit them on a couple screens to move the ball and we were able to punch it in. It’s a testament to this team and their desire to move on.

Running back Andre Givens left the game after the first quarter because of an ankle problem.

“He just can’t play on it,” Hoffman said.

Medina coach Billy Burke said that penalties and fumbles hurt.

“In our 8-0 run, we took care of the football. Tonight, we didn’t take care of the football like we should have. It put us in a bad position and essentially led to 14 points. When you get that short of a field against an offense like this, you’re not going to catch many breaks.”

Starr said that Mooney will definitely be a big challenge.

“They’re a very good team, but I think we’re going to put their name to the test. We’re coming out to win. We’re coming out hard.”

bassetti@vindy.com