The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bebie looks to lead Pirates’ explosive offense in 2021
Three years ago, Rocky River linebacker Tommy Bebie stood on the field as cornerback Cristain Dean jumped a route and took a pass from the Clyde quarterback 80-yards for a game-clinching touchdown.
Bebie was just a freshman on an eighth-seeded Pirates team that had just won its second-ever playoff game in school history.
Now Bebie is the star for a Pirates team that has high expectations after winning its third playoff game last season.
“Getting that experience early on as a freshman really helped me through the rest of my career,” he said. “It was such a cool experience, going in as huge underdogs we didn’t have any expectations. So to win that game I think it showed us how to win.”
In Week 1 Bebie anchored an explosive effort from the Pirates offense in a 56-24 win over a Division II opponent in Midview.
The starting running back — in addition to his linebacking duties — Bebie carried the ball ten times and averaged 15.3 yards on each one of them.
Bebie also lines up as a slot receiver for coach Josh Wells’ offense, where he caught three passes for 53 yards. The senior finished the game with 206 yards of total offense and was responsible for three Rocky River scores.
His versatility is something that can be seen throughout the Rocky River team.
“All of our kids have bought into the mentality of what can I do to help this team,” Wells said. “It’s not just Tommy, this is a team that wants to succeed and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to do that.”
Bebie’s defensive contribution was equally as impressive. From the middle of the River defense, Bebie contributed a team-high 10 tackles one of which was the team’s only sack.
Next fall, Bebie will trade his maroon and white threads for the black and gold of Wake Forest. Bebie committed to the Demon Deacons in June. When he arrives in Winston-Salem he’ll find a permanent home on the defensive side of the ball.
“Playing both ways is something I’ve always done,” he said. “I think it develops my mind as a football player, being able to play on offense and knowing how an offense works really helps me on defense and vice versa.”
Tommy won’t be the last Bebie to come through the Rocky River program though. His younger brother, Johnny, is a varsity contributor as a junior.
“This year especially I’ve tried to not take any practice, film session or game for granted because this is our last season together,” Tommy said. “(Playing with my brother is) the best feeling, the family loves it and it’s really special.”
Against Midview, Johnny had 24 yards rushing and added seven tackles on defense. The younger Bebie plays a role similar to his older brother on offense, lining up next to quarterback Braedon Spies in the backfield and also making appearances as a slot receiver.
In 2019, Tommy was the younger Bebie brother as his older brother Owen served as the kicker on the Pirates playoff team.
Soon enough it’ll be Johnny who will be the older brother as the fourth Bebie brother — Michael — is in seventh grade, just a year away from getting to High School.
Rocky River entered 2021 with high expectations after a strong 7-2 season, so far they’ve met them through one game. They’ll face a test in Firelands on Aug. 27 before heading into the meat of their Great Lakes Conference schedule.
Despite those high expectations the Pirates have tried their best to focus on taking things one day at a time.
“We talk a lot about what we’re expected to do, but we also know what we need to do in order to get there,” Johnny said. “We always try to remind ourselves and keep ourselves accountable by knowing that we still have to do the work to get to where we want to this season.”