LODI - Sometimes game film doesn't always reveal the truth.
Brookfield Warriors coach Randy Clark could tell that Norwayne quarterback Adam Wallace was talented, but he wasn't certain about the Bobcats receivers.
Clark didn't need to look at film Saturday night to get an idea of their skill level. He saw it up close and personal on the fast artificial turf at Cloverleaf High School's stadium as the Bobcats rolled to a 42-7 win in a Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal game.
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Tribune Chronicle / Michael Taylor
Brookfield’s Jeremy Quinlan breaks through the line for a long run down to the 5 yard line in the third quarter of a Division IV regional quarterfinal playoff game at Cloverleaf High School on Saturday night.
"I didn't realize film-wise that their receivers were that good," Clark said. "They made some great catches in the first half that would have stopped their drives but ended up turning them into touchdowns. He (Wallace) is very good. They do a good job of what they do. They hide the ball well."
Wallace was more than good on a crisp, cool night. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 241 yards. He threw three touchdown passes and ran 58 yards for a score.
After opening a 14-0 halftime lead the Bobcats (10-1) added three touchdowns in the third period to take a comfortable 35-7 lead. The Warriors simply had no answer for Wallace.
"Adam did a great job," Bobcats coach Joe Harbour said. "He moved, scrambled, stepped up in the pocket. He kept his eyes downfield. Again he put up huge passing yardage. That shows you his growth from where he started at. Keeping his eyes downfield and making those big plays is a great job by an experienced quarterback."
The surprise of the game was the Bobcats' ability to shut down the Warriors' rushing attack. Junior Ryan Mosora was limited to 55 yards on 13 carries. He scored Brookfield's lone touchdown on a 4-yard run in the third quarter.
The Warriors (9-2) had to change their offensive plan and go to the air lanes with more regularity after falling behind by two touchdowns at halftime. Quarterback Jeremy Quinlin attempted 27 passes, completing 10 with one interception for 184 yards.
"We had to start throwing the ball, and that's not our cup of tea right now," Clark said. "We'll get better at that."
The Bobcats made an early statement when Tyler Zimmerly broke off a 20-yard touchdown run on the fifth play of their first possession. Wallace connected with Brady Berger for 30 yards on the second play of the drive.
The Warriors marched to the Bobcats' 22 on their next possession. On fourth down Quinlin's pass for an open Mosora in the end zone flew just beyond his hands.
The only other score in the first half came on a 3-yard pass from Wallace to Kaleb Harris with 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
It was all Norwayne in the second half, starting with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Wallace to Berger at the 10:38 mark of the third period. On the Bobcats' next drive Wallace kept the ball and raced up the middle on a 58-yard touchdown run as the lead stretched to 28-0.
Mosora's touchdown run and Quinlin's point-after kick cut the lead to 28-7.
The Warriors recovered an onside kick, but the ball didn't travel that necessary 10 yards, giving possession to Norwayne at the Brookfield 49. It took three plays before Travahn Beery ran 30 yards for a touchdown.
Wallace completed the scoring with a 74-yard touchdown pass to Harris. Wallace scrambled to his right and back to his left before unloading a deep pass that Harris caught at the Warriors' 40. He slipped a tackle and ran down the left sideline.
"They have a great overall team," Clark said. "Their coach does a nice job with them. I thought we were going to be able to run the ball a little more, but when we got down by 14 points it took us out of our running game."
Despite the loss Clark went home feeling good about the season.
"This is our best season since 1994," he said. "The kids responded well. We had great leadership from our seniors. We're young still. All our skilled positions are back. I'm proud of my kids. They played hard all year. They faced adversity and responded well."
The Bobcats will play Orrville in the region semifinals. Orrville advanced by defeating LaBrae.