SOLON, Ohio – Senior defensive back Braeden Springer picked off Hudson quarterback Nathan Judy three times as Solon upset Hudson, 31-10, at home to end the regular season Friday night.

“Springer is incredible,” Solon head coach Brian Wisniewski said. “He just finds ways to make plays for us, whether it’s offense, defense, special teams. He’s a warrior, I’m so proud of him and I’m so proud of the defense.

“He’s definitely one of our leaders and he showed that tonight.”

Solon’s defense was punishing throughout the game, holding Hudson, which scored 35 points last week against North Royalton, to just 10 points while forcing three interceptions and several turnovers on downs.

“When you play them, you have to be ready for a physical battle for four quarters,” Wisniewski said. “They are so well coached and so good up front. You have to stop the run if you want to beat them.”

“Coach puts us in a great spot,” Springer said. “It works the whole weekend, putting together a game plan for the week. I put all my trust in him.”

Hudson (5-5), ranked No. 21 in this week’s cleveland.com top 25, looked like the better team in the first half. The Explorers outscored the Comets in the first half, mostly on the floor, with sophomore Reno Ferri leading the way. Ferri was Hudson’s lone bright spot on offense, racking up 128 combined yards of offense.

However, after entering the half tied 7-7, the Comets’ offense picked up speed while their defense stalled. Down 17-10 in the fourth quarter, all the pressure was on sophomore Jack Sanders, and he stepped up with poise and confidence, leading a scoring drive to put the Comets two touchdown- comfortable hours.

“Jack has grown a lot this year,” Wisniewski said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth and maturity throughout the year … I’m proud of him. He kept us calm and did a really good job out there.”

Sanders finished the game with 125 yards and a touchdown through the air while adding 32 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Junior quarterback AJ Jefferson also carried the Comets’ offense, piling up 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The game got off to a slow start with both offenses opening with a three-and-out. However, Hudson was able to quickly find their rhythm on their next drive as they put together an efficient 13-play, 81-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Judy.

Solon was able to get a few plays behind them, but on third-and-8 Sanders was sacked by senior Jackson Babitsky and junior Joseph Cavalcanti for a critical 10-yard loss, ending the game.

Hudson then went down the field looking to go up two scores when Springer was able to turn the momentum with his first interception on a Judy tipped ball, giving the Comets the ball at their own 35.

On the ensuing drive, Sanders led a balanced offensive attack, connecting twice with Christian Nelson, once for a 20-yard strike and again for a 10-yard touchdown with 2:09 left in the half. Both catches came on crucial three downs, keeping the Comets’ drive alive.

The Explorers got the ball back in hopes of getting one more score on the board before the break. Again, they took to the field with supreme efficiency, executing a near-perfect two-minute drill. However, again Springer came through in the clutch, jumping a superbly timed route and getting Judy out for the second time in the first inning.

Springer’s interception again stifled the Explorer’s drive, and after his return to Hudson’s 42-yard line, he received “MVP” chants from the Comets’ student section.

“I’m taking my time getting to prom,” Springer said. “I read it. I read the routes and then once he looks, pull the ball back, just go the ball and get it out.”

Coming out of the half, Solon had the first possession of the football and was able to get down to the Hudson 23-yard line. However, after a false start penalty on a fourth-and-one, they sent their kicker, senior Carter Wente, for a 45-yard field goal attempt, which he knocked down -o to put the Comets up 10-7.

On the next drive, the Explorers took their punishing pitch to the Comets’ 31-yard line. Facing a critical fourth-and-9 in their own territory, Solon needed a big defensive stop to preserve their three-point lead, and they got one as Judy’s pass fell incomplete to give the Comets the ball back at the end of the third quarter. .

Solon’s next trip was all Jefferson, as the scouts simply had no answer for the big junior quarterback. Jefferson rushed for several long gains, including a 37-yarder on a third-and-7 that he weaved through multiple defenders, throwing players to the ground for a huge first down. He capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to put Solon up 17-7 with 18 seconds left in the third quarter.

However, the explorers were not willing to give up. On a drive kept alive by a 36-yard catch-and-run by Ferri, Hudson was able to get far enough into Solon territory for a field goal attempt. Senior kicker Brad Masiella was able to knock it down, putting the Explorers within a score with 8:36 left.

However, Hudson couldn’t stop Solon’s offense when it mattered most. After a long return to his own 44-yard line by Springer, Sanders led a methodical drive, draining the clock with just over three minutes remaining before punching in himself on a 3-yard touchdown run .

Hudson’s last drive was abruptly cut short by an interception on the first play of the drive by none other than Braeden Springer, who returned it to the Hudson 1-yard line. It was Springer’s third interception of the night. Sanders put it in for the second time in less than twenty seconds, effectively sealing the game for the Comets.

Playoff football begins next week and who each of those teams will play next will be announced on Sunday, but Wisniewski told his team to “clear the schedule” next week.

While Solon is just 3-7, Wisniewski said he’s not afraid to play anyone.

“We looked these last two games straight in the face. We weren’t afraid of anyone,” Wisniewski told his team after the game. “I don’t care who we play, we won’t be afraid.”