PAINESVILLE, Ohio- A big first quarter for the visiting Tiffin University Dragons put a damper on the Lake Erie Storm's Senior Day as the Dragons made an early 21-0 lead stick in a 45-21 win over the Storm on Saturday (Nov. 5).

Tiffin wasted little time as they took a 7-0 lead on a 28-yard passing touchdown less than a minute into the game. On the next Tiffin drive, the Dragons found the end zone on a seven-yard quarterback scramble. Three minutes later, a long pass play set the Dragons up at the one yard line. Tiffin made it 21-0 with a one-yard touchdown run.

Tiffin added a field goal to start the second quarter, taking a 24-0 lead.

The Storm got on the board with their second drive of the second quarter. John Banyasz (Columbia Station, Ohio / Columbia) capped an eight play, 72 yard drive with a nine yard touchdown run. Tiffin led 24-7 at halftime.

Tiffin answered with a touchdown on the first drive of the second half. The Dragons got a score from 15 yards out with a passing touchdown.

Seven minutes later, Lake Erie closed the gap to 31-14 with a response touchdown. Following an 51-yard interception return by Zach Jude (Canal Winchester, Ohio / Bloom Carroll), the Storm had a short field. Antwan Harris (Youngstown, Ohio / Austintown Fitch) rolled into the end zone from four yards away.

Another short rushing touchdown for the Dragons ended the third quarter with the score at 38-14.

Harris was at it again as he answered the Dragons with a 15 yard scamper for a touchdown, his second of the day.

A long Tiffin return on the kickoff set up a short five yard rushing touchdown for the Dragons. That was the last score of the game as Tiffin defeated the Storm 45-21.

Banyasz completed nine passes for 142 yards along with compiling 103 yards on the ground and one touchdown in his last home game.

Tyler Hampton (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) led the Storm with three catches while Jonathan Bell (Waldorf, Md. / Westlake) caught two passes for 55 yards.

Jude led the defense with eight tackles and one interception. Isaiah Wheeler (Copley, Ohio / Copley) finished with seven tackles.

The Storm will finish the season with a road game at Hillsdale next Saturday (Nov. 12). 

-LEC-