by Bay Village, OH – The 2024-25 season opened with a matchup featuring the Bay Rockets and Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen. Bay took care of business at home with tremendous help from their defense and run game. Junior Rocco Ereditario led the way with 165 yards on 24 carries while finding the endzone 3 times. Their defense played a crucial role by allowing just 32 yards of total offense.
The Bay Rockets opened the game with stifling defense and a powerful run game. With two offensive drives in the first quarter, the Ironmen were held to a total of 1 yard of offense by the Bay defense. Offensively, the Rockets got it going early with the run game. Their opening drive was a methodical one as they marched 70 yards down the field in 10 plays. Senior Quarterback Michael Farrell finished the drive off with a 6-yard TD run to give Bay an early lead.
On their next possession, the Rockets stayed true to the ground game. Junior Running back Rocco Ereditario carried the drive and capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown run. With over 11 minutes to play in the 2nd quarter, the Bay Rockets held a 14-0 advantage.
The offensive struggles for Cleveland Central Catholic continued in the 2nd quarter. On 3 drives, the Ironmen offense accumulated just 7 yards of total offense. However, their defense stepped up in a big way. With the offensive struggles, Bay had great field position to start multiple drives. In three defensive possessions, Central Catholic forced a punt, recovered a fumble in the red zone, and intercepted a pass in the red zone. Sirius Jones was credited with the fumble recovery while Donovan Driscal was responsible for the interception. Heading into halftime the score was still 14-0 Bay.
After struggling to get their offense going in the 2nd quarter, Bay went back to their run game. Their opening drive featured Rocco Ereditario who carried the ball 5 times gaining all 50 yards of the drive. He finished it off with his second touchdown of the game from 4 yards out. Cleveland Central Catholic started their next possession with great field position after a 40-yard kick return from Keyonte Sawyer set them up at Bay’s 47.
Even though the Ironmen were set up for success, the Bay defense continued to hold them. What could have been a promising drive ended with a turnover on downs that gave Bay the ball right back at their own 40. The Rockets took advantage and drove down the field in nine plays. Rocco Ereditario completed a hat-trick by finding the endzone for the 3rd time of the game. This time it was from 6 yards out. After forcing yet another 3-and-out on the defensive end, Bay’s offense went right back to work.
The Rockets methodically journeyed 47 yards in 14 plays that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Micael Farrell to Ethan George. The drive took over 9 minutes off the game clock and took the game into a running clock as Bay went up 33-0. On the ensuing drive, Vince Boushelle sealed the game with an interception for Bay. The Rockets kneeled out the clock and came out victorious in Week 1.
Next week the Bay Rockets will travel to Field to take on the Falcons. As for the Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen, they will host John Hay next Saturday at noon.
Key Players
Bay:
RB Rocco Ereditario – 24 carries, 165 yards, 3 TDs
QB Michael Farrell – 5-8 passing, 49 yards, 1 TD; 8 rushing yards, 1 rush TD
CCC:
RB Keyonte Sawyer – 4 carries, 10 yards, 40-yard Kick Return
RB/DB Sirius Jones – 3 carries, 21 yards, Defensive Fumble Recovery
Player of the Game: Rocco Ereditario
