by Week two of Friday Night Lights kicked off tonight and the football Gods provided Northeast Ohio with yet another week of perfect football weather.
In the second game of their 105th season, the Rocky River Pirates welcomed the Firelands Falcons to Rocky River High School Stadium for a non-conference battle.
After the pre-game festivities occurred and the Rocky River High School Band played to introduce their Sons of Blackbeard, it was time for the game to begin.
Though the Bebie brothers were back deep to receive the opening kickoff, a short kick and fumble by the Pirates return team set the Falcons up in prime position to score – as they started deep in Pirates territory. Their positioning ended up paying off, as QB Kyle Ransom finished the impressive drive with a nine yard touchdown rush. After the extra point, the Falcons held a 7-0 lead.
The Falcons lead didn’t hold long, however – as the next drive proved plentiful for the Pirates as well. Without a pass being thrown by either team to this point, Rocky River continued the trend by executing a heavy rushing attack. Capped off by explosive runs from RB Johnny and RB Tommy Bebie inside Falcons’ territory, QB Braedon Spies rushed for a one yard touchdown. With the extra point successful, we had a tie ballgame on our hands: 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
After failing to convert on third down by the Falcons and Pirates to start the second quarter, followed by an interception for the Pirates from Patrick Lange – the Sons of Blackbeard found themselves in scoring position yet again. It only took two rushes totally ten yards from Bebie to bring the Pirates on top for the first time tonight, 14-7.
A fumbled punt return by Bebie allowed the Falcons to set themselves up in Pirates waters, providing the visitors a chance to tie this game back up. Costly penalties from the home team and crucial rushes from Firelands, finished off with a 14 yard touchdown rush from RB Corey Newark, helped the Falcons take advantage of the turnover and tie the game 14-14.
It took virtually no time for the Pirates to unsheathe their swords and fight back. With less that a minuet taken off the clock, Rocky River put the team on Bebie’s back yet again – as he rushed in a crafty 28 yard touchdown, placing the Pirates back on top 21-14 to end the first half.
Rocky tides were experienced by both teams after the start of the second half. Though the Pirates extended their lead by three to 24-14 with a career long 38 yard field goal by Mack Massad, those were the only points by either team in the third quarter.
However, that changed in the fourth quarter. Set up by a 47 yard pass from Spies to #47 Bebie, the other Bebie brother took it straight up the flock of the Falcon’s defense, growing the Pirates lead to 31-14. The abuse of the Bebie Bro’s didn’t stop there – as on the very next drive, #47 Bebie intercepted Ransom, setting the swashbuckling Pirates up to cake on more points after a five yard Mack Massad rushing touchdown – making the score 38-14.
Another lengthy 51 yard touchdown by the Pirates and RB Nick Disalco continued the plunder against the Falcons bringing their score to a final 45-14.
Unfortunately for the visiting Firelands Falcons, the combination of the Bebie brothers proved too much for their team to stop. They will look to bounce back next week at home against Vermillion, as the Pirates look to continue their undefeated start to the season on the road against Valley Forge.
Player of the Game:
Tommy Bebie – 129 Rushing Yards 3 TD’s
