by WESTLAKE, OH – Bay Village running back Rocco Ereditario scored 4 times and went for over 300 total yards in a massive performance to lead the Rockets to a 49-28 victory over Westlake. The Rockets soared for all 49 points in the first half as quarterback Patrick Cleary went 9 of 12 for over 200 yards and 4 touchdowns in that same 24-minute span. The Westlake Demons used a mixture of weapons but simply couldn’t keep pace with the Rockets.
Bay Village wasted no time scoring on their opening drive as the Rockets went 71 yards in 5 plays. Cleary connected with Brody Beggs 3 three times including a 32 yard touchdown hook up with 8:32 left to play in the opening quarter. The drive also saw two sizable runs from Ereditario of 15 and 11 yards.
Westlake wasted no time answering as the Demons went the bulk of the field in no time flat. The big hitter came from a Abdelhady to Bierfeldt touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 4:59 to play. The drive was sparked by an early 30-yard pass and catch from Abdelhadt to McMillen to get the Demons moving.
The Rockets were unfazed as they responded on their next drive. A barrage of runs from Ereditario moved the ball with ease. A one-handed catch from Charlie Rodgers was the big play of the drive as the gem gobbled up 26 big yards. The score coming on a 3 yard rumble from Ereditario to place the Rockets back out on top, 14-7 with a little over 4 minutes still to play in the opening quarter.
Up 14-10 to start the second quarter, the Rockets had the ball at the Demons 14-yard line. It was then that Cleary tossed his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to Rodgers from 14 yards out.
The Rockets pulled away on their next drive when Rocco Ereditario took a short pass, 28 yards into the endzone as he bounced off would be Demon tacklers. Rocco just kept churning his legs and couldn’t be stopped. This made it 28-7 with 8:54 still to play in the second quarter.
Up next it was Westlake scorching the scoreboard with a quick scoring drive, capped off by a Abdelhady touchdown pass to Throwbridge. This cut the Demon deficit to 28-14 with 6:21 to play in the opening half. It wouldn’t stay that way long as Bay answered with a touchdown only moments later, this one a 52 yard touchdown pass to Charlie Rodgers.
This increased the lead back up to 21 points at 35-14 with 5:35 still to play in the second quarter. And yet, that score only lasted seconds as well as in no time flat Westlake answered with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Gavin McMillen. This, to make the score 35-21 with 4:56 to play in the second quarter.
Again, the 14-point difference was quick fading as the Rockets answered the points right back. This time they used a tremendous kickoff return to set up them deep in Westlake territory. From there it was Rocco again, this time scoring from 9 yards out to make it 42-21 Rockets with 3:53 to play in the opening half.
Another Ereditario touchdown run sent the Rockets to the halftime break up 49-21. Ereditario finished the first half with 196 yards on 16 carries with 3 touchdowns. He also had a touchdown catch for four total scores.
A Demon onside kick attempt to start the second half was recovered by the Rockets at midfield but the Rockets would eventually turn it over on downs. The Demons returned the favor with a turnover on downs right back to Bay however. Amazingly after a combined 70 point, 10 touchdown first half, the third quarter was rather quiet as neither team scored. The Rockets went on to cruise from there for the 49-28 victory.
Players of the game
Bay RB Rocco Ereditario with over 300 total yards, 3 rushing TD’s and 1 receiving TD.
Westlake WR Gavin McMillen 4 catches for 101 yards and a 60 yard TD catch.
