Cleveland Heights Rolls Over John Adams in Home Opener

When the starting quarterback is nibbling on Crosby’s Corn gourmet popcorn on the sidelines, things are probably going well on the field.

Cleveland Heights senior quarterback Bryce Jones scarfed down the Shaker Heights store’s munchies much like he and his fellow teammates feasted on John Adams, 56-12, in their home opener Friday night.

Jones, alternating signal-calling duties with Jovahn Williams, threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the contest was never in doubt for the Tigers (2-0) against the undersized and overmatched Rebels (0-2) from the Senate League.

Jones said he felt the team was pretty confident going in against John Adams and can look forward to facing Lake Erie League rival Shaw on the road next Friday at 5 p.m.

“We did what we we're supposed to do. We did just what a good team does. We put it away early and we gave them no chance to breathe,” Jones said. “Shelton (Gibson) scored on the kickoff. And from there on, we stepped on their throats just like our coaches have been telling us.”

The aforementioned state-qualifying track star Gibson made sure the Rebels didn’t get any ideas as he took the opening kickoff and slashed through John Adams’ coverage team for a 96-yard touchdown return.

From there, the Tigers raced out to a 43-0 lead at halftime as Philadelphia Eagles rookie center and former Cleveland Heights player Jason Kelce was spotted in the crowd with his mother.

With that kind of lead, Kelce was naturally all smiles. He’s now a member of the so-called “Dream Team” of the National Football League with newly-minted quarterback star Michael Vick. Well, his old high school team doesn’t look so bad, either.

The Tigers pushed it to 50-0 after three quarters before the Rebels scored a pair of touchdowns sandwiched around a Heights' touchdown in the fourth quarter. But those two scores came against the Tigers’ backup players.

After two consecutive 4-6 seasons, the Tigers have blasted out of the gates in defeating both John Adams and Walnut Ridge by a combined score of 110-12 with not only explosive offensive plays but all assortments of interception and fumble returns for touchdowns from the defense.

Marcus Bagley had a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown to go with his 4-yard rushing touchdown, and Rashawn Dickerson scooted 36 yards with an interception for another score.

Anyone near the home crowd could hear the town members swell with pride from the stands, but Tigers head football coach Jeff Rotsky wants to curb the enthusiasm a little.

“I expect to be a fairly decent football team, but are we a good team? I can’t give you that answer yet,” Rotsky said. “We’ll be able to tell a little more after next weekend.”

Next weekend is rival Shaw, and Rotsky hasn’t defeated them in his three previous years as Cleveland Heights head coach.

Needless to say, the coach is justifiably cautious.

John Adams              0    0  0 12   12

Cleveland Heights     13  30 7  6    56

1st Quarter

Cleveland Heights - Gibson 96 kickoff return (kick failed)

Cleveland Heights - McShepard 30 pass from Jones (Jones kick)

2nd Quarter

Cleveland Heights – Bagley 50 fumble return (Jones kick)

Cleveland Heights – Saffo 24 run (Jones kick)

Cleveland Heights – Safety (through end zone)

Cleveland Heights – Bagley 4 run (Jones kick)

Cleveland Heights – Jones 14 run (Jones kick)

3rd Quarter

Cleveland Heights – Dickerson 36 interception return (Jones kick)

4th Quarter

John Adams – Turner 14 pass from Doyle (conversion failed)

Cleveland Heights – Sheets 5 run (conversion failed)

John Adams – Hunter 5 run (conversion failed)