The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES » MORE HIGHLIGHTS IN SPORTS, C1
Bay tops rival Rocky River to remain perfect on season
• Olmsted Falls 27, Amherst 2 • Avon 42, Westlake 7 • Avon Lake 35, N. Ridgeville 21 • Bay 21, Rocky River 16 • Clearview 65, Oberlin 20 • Columbia 42, Luth. West 14 • Lorain 31, Cleveland Hts. 23 • Elyria Cath. 63, Parma 14 • Firelands 35, Brookside 0 • Keystone 46, Black River 42 • Berea-Midpark 52, Midview 16 • N. Olmsted 42, Lakewood 20
It was a Great Lakes Conference heavyweight matchup at Rocky River Stadium on Sept. 28, as Bay topped Rocky River, 21-16.
The visiting Rockets, who entered the game ranked No. 5 in the state in Division III, improved to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in GLC play, while the Pirates fall to 4-2 and 1-1 in league play.
“That’s a heck of a football team we played tonight,” Bay coach Ron Rutt said. “They’re a well-coached group and it’s a battle every time we play them. It’s kind of one of those games you can throw the record out and it’s gonna be a good ball game every year.”
“I’m proud of the way our guys battled tonight because some things didn’t go our way throughout the game, but we kind of stuck with it and we were able to pull it out at the end.”
Rocky River’s offense was clicking on all cylinders early in the first quarter, as the Pirates marched down the field from their own 20 to their Bay nine on 13 plays.
THE SCORE BAY 21, ROCKY RIVER 16 “That’s a heck of a football team we played tonight. They’re a wellcoached group and it’s a battle every time we play them.” – Bay Coach Ron Rutt Online: To see more photos from the game, go to: MEDIA.MORNINGJOURNAL.COM
However, the Pirates had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from junior kicker Owen Bebie.
“Once we are able to get the passing game established, our offense goes,” Rocky River coach Josh Wells said. “If there’s a hold up on our passing game it’s tough to get it back.”
Bay’s offense responded on their first series, as it took nine plays on 37-yards for the Rockets to find the end zone, with senior running back Andrew Veverka scored on a three-yard carry, making it 7-3.
Rocky River failed to do anything on offense their next series but also held Bay from scoring, as senior kicker Cade Gergye missed a 39yard field goal attempt for the Rockets with 10:15 left in the second quarter.
The Pirates started their very next series on Bay’s 22yard line. However, Bay senior defensive back Conner Shell picked off quarterback Michael Finnegan for a 14-yard touchdown return, to give the Rockets a 14-3 lead.
“That pick six was a huge play early for us,” said Rutt. “Also, just the way he pounded the ball for us and he did a great job. He’s a senior who was a two-year starter at quarterback and now he’s playing linebacker and running back and he’s such a team guy.”
Overall, Shell led all rushers with 106-yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, while Bay picked up 220-yards of total offense compared to Rocky River’s 175.
For the Pirates, their offense seemed to never really get started as they made a deep drive past the 50-yard line late in the third quarter, which consisted of 14 plays, but were forced to put after several flags pushed the back.
“Penalties killed us tonight,” said Wells. “They were drive killing penalties. We marched down inside our 30 and inside our 20 and next thing we know we’re back on our 40.”
Despite the penalties, the Pirates held Bay scoreless in the third quarter, but they did end up surrendering a touchdown late in the fourth when Shell picked up an eight-yard touchdown off a five play, 60yard drive, giving the Rockets a, 21-10 lead.
The Pirates continued to fight with only seconds remaining, as Finnegan led the offense to a score when he found senior Ross Hartman in the end zone for a 3-yard pass.