STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – For the eighth straight season, Avon football is headed to the Division II regional final.

The top-seeded Eagles (13-0) dominated from the start and totaled nearly 500 yards of offense en route to a convincing 41-10 win over No. 5 Wadsworth in the OHSAA Division II, Region 6 semifinal at the Stadium Pat Catan of Strongsville High School.

The Eagles advance to play in the regional championship next Friday, defeating Highland 38-14 in the regional championship at a site to be determined. The Grizzlies season ends at 11-2.

“We challenged our team, especially our receivers, to do a good job blocking down the field and we were able to break some long runs,” Avon coach Mike Elder said. “Our offensive line was under fire early in the season. They’ve gone to work and improved every day and I think they’re a big reason for our success.”

On a night in which the Eagles totaled 485 yards, quarterback Nolan Good — the Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year — paced the offense with 282 yards and three touchdowns. The senior showed his dual-threat ability, rushing for a game-high 102 yards on six carries and completing 15 of 21 passes for 180 yards.

“Nolan is a special player. It’s a cheat code,” Elder added. “When things aren’t supposed to work, they do because of him. He’s definitely a reason we’re in the Elite 8.”

It was Good’s 44-yard touchdown run on four-and-inches early in the third quarter that broke things open for the Eagles, 27-7.

“I told coach to let me get it and he called my number and I’m blessed to be able to make a play,” Good said. “I just wanted to get as many yards as possible, and when I cut down the sideline, I saw daylight and just ran.”

The Eagles set the tone on their opening possession, traveling 59 yards in six plays, with Good finding Grant Barr for a 25-yard TD pass.

“I’m blessed to be behind those guys up front and have the talent that they do around me,” Good said.

Behind a balanced offensive attack that totaled 296 yards (178 rushing, 118 passing) in the first half, the Eagles scored on their first three possessions to jump out to a 20-0 lead.

Good added a 14-yard TD and Quiante Smith scored on a 32-yard scamper. Smith finished with 110 yards from scrimmage.

The Grizzlies’ best drive of the night came midway through the second quarter. Aided by three Avon penalties, freshman quarterback Brysen Hall took advantage, connecting with Cooper Gray out of the backfield for a 15-yard score. Gray totaled a team-high 85 yards on 17 carries.

But that’s all the Grizzlies could do the rest of the night, as the Eagles defense shut down the Grizzlies — who entered the game averaging 40 points per game — holding them to 195 yards and forcing three takeaways.

“The only lead he (Wadsworth) scored was helped by penalties. I thought the defense ran great all night,” Elder said. “We know we have a good defense here and we were able to stop an explosive offense tonight. It’s a great credit to our coaching staff.”

An Alex Rivera interception midway through the third quarter set up a 4-yard TD run by senior running back Tyler Kauffman. He was one of four quarterbacks to score on the night, with Michael Colburn adding a 47-yard score to start the running clock on the first play of the fourth quarter.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that can contribute, but it starts with the line, which is a nice unit to run against,” Elder said. “I’m proud of our kids, but we left a lot of points on the board. There are a lot of things we need to clean up for next week.”

Austin Opfer is a freelancer in Cleveland.