Wounded workhorse: Hudson football rides hobbled Ian Ludewig to win at Twinsburg
TWINSBURG — Ian Ludewig's position as the most prolific running back in the Hudson football history is rock solid.
The question Thursday, however, was how the Explorers' workhorse would perform after sitting out the last game-and-a-half with an ankle injury.
"Not much can keep me away from this game," Ludewig said. "I'd do anything for these boys around me. If I got to fight through a little pain, I'll do it."
Ludewig admitted he wasn't 100% against Twinsburg, as he seemed without his trademark burst, until Hudson needed it the most.
With the Explorers clinging to a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Ludewig ripped off a 39-yard sweep right to get Hudson into the red zone.
Two plays later, Ludewig ran in his third touchdown of the night to ice a 30-21 Hudson win at Tigers Stadium.
"He's battling an injury. For him to come out and play the way he played, to break that long run off at the end, says a lot about his toughness and will," Hudson coach Jeff Gough said. "I think our offensive line stood out tonight. It was a grind. It wasn't big chunk yards."
Despite his ankle issues, Ludewig ran 31 times for 121 yards and three touchdowns. He carried the mail for Hudson (4-1) after senior Teagan O'Guinn performed well last week against Stow.
"I decided to stick with Ian," Gough said. "Teagan plays a lot of defense and we like the ability to make adjustments."
O'Guinn finished with 14 yards on two carries Thursday.
It was a frustrating night for Twinsburg (2-3) and Tigers coach Charles Saulter.
"It's tough because we played well enough to win at times, but other times we shot ourselves in the foot," he said. "Playing well enough to win sometimes doesn't equal wins, and our margin is slim. We just didn't get it done tonight."
Twinsburg football takes Hudson to the wire before falling
Gough lauded Saulter and the Tigers after game.
"That's a great football team," Gough said. "What coach Saulter has done with that program, from even last year to this year, is incredible. They're going to be a wrecking ball in the playoffs, so for us to get out of here with a win, we feel good."
Hudson didn't play a perfect game, as its opening drive stalled in the red zone and it missed an extra point off the upright.
The Explorers led 7-0 at the end of one quarter before Twinsburg produced the game's biggest play when Joey Pollock hit Jaden Dye on a go rout down the left sideline for an 87-yard touchdown.
Hudson answered with its own aerial attack, as quarterback Peyton Neher connected with Trey Sharp on a 40-yard TD touchdown pass on the Explorers' ensuing possession, making it 13-7 at the half.
Both quarterbacks had solid nights. Pollock went 21-31 passing for 247 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while Neher completed 13 of 16 passes for 165 yards, a touchdown and pick.
"I think you saw Peyton made some great throws and Trey make some great catches," Gough said. "Peyton had a couple really nice runs to keep them honest."
After a 33-yard field goal by Hudson kicker Brad Masiella, Saulter reached into his bag 'o tricks.
The Tigers executed a double pass, with running back CJ Lyden throwing a 61-yard touchdown strike to Dye, cutting the lead to 16-14.
Dye finished with seven catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Twinsburg then made its biggest mistake, as a high snap on a punt set up the Explorers at the Tigers 2. Three plays later, Ludewig plunged in from a yard out to make it 23-14 at the end of three quarters.
"You can't snap the ball over the head. You can't get false start penalties," Saulter said. "We've got to find a way to win. That's what we're focused on right now — getting over the hump and getting a win."
Twinsburg kept fighting, as an interception by Rob Coscroft led to a 10-yard touchdown run Pollock, cutting it to 23-21 with 4:57 left.
However, Hudson was able to wind the clock down before Ludwig's big run set up the clenching touchdown with 40 seconds left.
"I was just looking for that A to A gap," Ludewig said. "Our fullback Nolan Tanner and Noah Broski got their blocks. After that it's just a leg race."
Any hope of a Twinsburg miracle comeback evaporated when Louis Castellarin picked off a deep ball from Pollock.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ian Ludewig lifts Hudson football to tough win at Twinsburg
