MEDINA, Ohio — After reaching the Division I regional finals last season — the longest playoff run in school history — Medina hoped it would be a reorientation rather than a rebuild.
If the clear 42-14 victory against Stow-Munroe Falls on Friday evening at Ken Dukes Stadium is any indication, then the former is likely to be the case.
New quarterback Cason Diiulio, a transfer from John Marshall, threw three touchdown passes while the Bees defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the second half to lead to the win.
The Bees, ranked 13th in cleveland.com’s preseason top 25 list, used a big play to score their first points of the 2024 season.
Diiulio found Jackson Riffle for a 53-yard touchdown pass and Finn Kelps’ extra point made it 7-0 for Medina with 8:04 left in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass of their own, tying the score at 7-7 with 4:34 minutes left in the first quarter.
A marathon second quarter that lasted nearly an hour finally came to a satisfying end for Medina. Cooper Josefczyk scored on a 15-yard run less than two minutes before halftime, and Kelps’ PAT put the Bees up 14-7 at halftime.
Stow tied the score at 14-14 early in the third quarter before the Bees broke the tie with their defense. Cam Sokolowski’s pick six and Kelps’ PAT gave Medina a 21-14 lead with 4:10 left in the quarter.
It stayed that way until the fourth round, before Medina caused a stir.
First, Tallen Hulvey scored two points for the Medina defense with a pick six, and Kelp’s kick put the team up 28-14 with 10:54 to play. Then, after surprising Stow with an onside kick, the Bees quickly broke through the Stow defense and extended their lead. Diiulio threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Sydney Lloyd, and Kelp’s PAT put the team up 35-14 with 9:41 to play.
The Bees made the final 4:18 minutes a running clock when Diiulio found Riffle for their second touchdown of the night. Kelp’s kick made it a final score.
Medina (1-0) travels to Lewis Center Olentangy next Friday night. Stow (0-1) hopes to improve by hosting Barberton in its first home game of the season next Friday.
Dan Gilles is a freelance sports writer from Lorain.
