PAINESVILLE, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers football team capped the 2021 season with their best performance of the year, a total team effort in the season finale. The Cavaliers rolled on offense and defense in a 24-7 win against the Lake Erie Storm, with the Pride & Passion Trophy on the line. 

For the second straight meeting and fourth time overall against the Storm, Walsh emerged victorious by weathering the Storm. The Pride and Passion Trophy will stay in North Canton for at least another year. 

GAME DETAILS

• Score: Walsh 24, Lake Erie 7
• Records: Walsh 2-9 (1-6), Lake Erie 5-6 (2-5)
• Place: Painesville, Ohio (Jack Britt Memorial Stadium)

SCORING RECAP

• Lake Erie started the game with a 97-yard kickoff return as they took the early 7-0 lead on a cold and slushy evening. 
• Mason Brown connected on a 32-yard field goal with 4:16 left in the first quarter as Walsh trailed 7-3. The scoring drive took ten plays, spanning 60 yards in 4:07.
  • Brown has 13 field goals in the 2021 season, tying him for the conference lead and season record. 
• Following a Lake Erie timeout, Tom Vatter completed a 11-yard touchdown pass to Delonte Hall, giving Walsh a 10-7 lead with 1:47 left in the second quarter. The Cavaliers completed a ten play, 82-yard scoring drive in 3:10 of game time. 
• As the third quarter came to a close, Thomas Wilks finished a nine play, 57-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Walsh's lead grew to 17-7 with 46 seconds left in the third period. 
• After a punt in the fourth, Walsh put the icing on the cake with a quick strike drive. Walsh drove down the field on three plays, book-ended by two long passing plays. Vatter  threw his second touchdown of the night, a 25-yard TD to Bernard Bates. Walsh led 24-7 with under ten minutes to go. 

CAVALIER TOTALS

• Walsh totaled a season-high 31 first downs with 515 yards of total offense. The passing attack totaled 283 yards while the rushing game accounted for a season-best 232 yards. The Cavaliers held the ball for 40:10 on Saturday night. 
  • The Cavaliers entered the Division II era game-high lists in the categories of total plays, total offense, first downs, and time of possession.
    • Walsh ran the third most plays (91) since 2012. 
    • The 515 yards of total offense was the second-highest total in the D2 era.
    • With 31 first downs, Walsh ranked second in the D2 era. 
    • The 40:10 TOP was the fourth highest in the D2 era. 
• Vatter was 23-of-42 passing with 283 yards passing, two touchdowns and one interception.
• Thomas Wilks ran the ball 39 times for 207 yards and one touchdown. He also caught three passes for 55 yards. 
  • Wilks was the first 200-yard rusher since October 29, 2011 when Justin Keith ran for 205 yards. 
  • He is the second rusher to eclipse 200 yards in a game within the G-MAC this season. 
  • With 39 carries and 207 yards, Wilks set game highs in the D2 era. 
• Keyshawn Johnson led Walsh with five catches for 108 yards.     
• Javon Colston had seven tackles for Walsh.
• Eli Rogers and Tche Leroux each had a sack on defense. 
• Walsh's defense pitched a shutout on 40 offensive plays as Lake Erie was held to 85 total yards of offense. The Storm had 78 passing yards and were limited to seven rushing yards. 

-WC-