Cleveland Heights Powers Past Shaker Heights, Remains Undefeated

Although Braxton Gamble’s uniform was caked in mud and the running back shivered in the freezing temperatures Saturday’s harsh winds and rain left behind, nothing could make him forget what inspired his overpowering performance against Shaker Heights.

Behind the Tigers mighty offensive line, Gamble blasted his way to two touchdown runs and a total of 107 yards on 17 carries to lead host Cleveland Heights (6-0) to a 21-7 victory over Shaker Heights (1-5) as he summed up his motivation in two words everyone at the school understands.

“Coach Houston,” Gamble said humbly of the Tigers recovering special teams coach.

Coach Mario Houston’s battle with the aftermath of a last week has been a focal point for Gamble, the team and the school. Tigers head football coach Jeff Rotsky said Houston’s still in critical but stable condition and .

Gamble hasn’t had an opportunity to visit Houston at the Cleveland Clinic yet, but he’s heard enough from fellow teammates and coaches to take inspiration from Houston’s fight.

Senior receiver Terrance Bailey, along with teammates Kyle Dodson, Christian Cartwright, Phillip Moreland and Cameron Redic, visited Houston and gave him the game ball after their .

“It was real humbling because coach Houston is a strong dude. He was basically on life support … I’ve never seen him like that. It was real humbling. You know, anything can happen on any given day. Don’t take any day for granted,” Bailey said.

Bailey and the team are encouraged by what they see. Many other members of the team have stopped by, and Rotsky said there’s a wall at the hospital dedicated to him with get-well cards.

“He’s getting stronger every day. He’s been breathing on his own for an hour, opening his eyes, moving his fingers,” Bailey said. “I’ve got faith in him. He’ll come back at some point.”

The Tigers remain undefeated and are 3-0 in the Lake Erie League and squarely in the hunt for a Division I playoff spot. Shaker Heights got its first win of the season against Lorain last week, but slipped to 1-2 in league play.

For the second straight week, the Tigers fell behind by a touchdown and looked listless in the early going. The Crawford Field’s grass got chewed up quickly, and Rotsky believes the team might have to find another field to play its home games moving forward.

Shaker Heights senior quarterback Connor Hall roped a short pass to Roamelle Bell that he extended down the left sideline for a 55-yard gain to the Tigers’ 12. Three plays later, Hall found Bell again on an 8-yard crossing pattern in the end zone for a 7-0 lead at 2:52 of the first quarter.

In bad need of a break, the Tigers finally got one. Hall fumbled a snap from center and Marcus Bagley pounced on it at the Raiders’ 33. On the next play, Gamble blasted through the middle to knot the score, 7-7, at 6:29 of the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Heights kicker Gabriel Brown delivered a high and short kick that was perfectly placed to an open space near the Raiders’ sideline. Raijon Long snapped up the ball at the Shaker Heights’ 31 and the Tigers were back in business.

Facing a fourth-and-8 at the Raiders’ 31, Tigers senior quarterback Bryce Jones found receiver Shelton Gibson for a tight catch near the Raiders’ sideline for a 21-yard reception that set Cleveland Heights up at the Raiders’ 10.

Gamble then ran it three straight times and found the end zone from 2 yards away for a 14-7 score at 3:36 of the second quarter.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Tigers sacked Hall and caused a fumble that Marcellino Lucus recovered at the Tigers’ 41. On six straight runs, Gamble pounded ahead for 46 yards, and Bagley took it home from 13 yards away for the final margin at 10:56.

The Tigers are off this week and return to action against Warrensville Heights on Friday, Oct. 14, at home.

Shaker Heights         7  0  0  0  7

Cleveland Heights    0 14 0 7 21

First quarter

Shaker Heights – Bell 8 pass from Hall (Katz kick)

Second quarter

Cleveland Heights – Gamble 33 run (Brown kick)

Cleveland Heights – Gamble 2 run (Brown kick)

Fourth quarter

Cleveland Heights – Bagley 13 run (Brown kick)