Summer Scrimmage: Cleveland Heights vs Benedictine

Cleveland Heights, OHIO — The start of the 2012 High school football season and Season 16 of FOX-8′s ‘Friday Night Touchdown‘ is just one week away, and two perennial playoff contenders squared off Thursday night, as Coach Ben Malbasa’s Benedictine Bengals made the short trip to Cleveland Heights to battle Coach Jeff Rotsky’s talented Tigers.

Benedictine and Cleveland Heights both qualified for the OHSAA Playoffs in 2011. The Tigers finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record, including an upset of 2010 State Champion Maple Heights, before falling to St. Edward in the first round of the division 1 playoffs.

The Bengals won their first five games of the 2011 season, but struggled through the second half of their schedule, and finished 7-3. They also lost in the opening round of the division 3 playoffs to Lake Catholic.

During Thursday’s scrimmage, both teams showed flashes that they could contend for playoff berths again this season. Benedictine’s offensive line held its own against Cleveland Heights’ pass rush, and opened holes for the Bengals’ talented trio of running backs.

However, the scrimmage was controlled by the Tigers defense, which displayed impressive team speed, especially in the secondary and linebacking corps.

Heights kept Benedictine off the scoreboard, limited the Bengals’ potent ground game, and also returned a Dan Piascik interception for a touchdown, en route to a 26-0 victory.

Both teams have a week to work out the kinks before their season opening games.

Cleveland Heights starts at home, against Toledo St. John’s Jesuit.

Benedictine opens its season on the road, making the long trip to Boardman.

For all the latest high school football scores, news and notes, head over the FOX-8 Friday Night Touchdown page.

Season 16 of Emmy Award Winning ‘Friday Night Touchdown’ kicks off on Friday, August 24 at 11:00PM.