by Tonight’s recap is brought to you by the very book that features this tremendous rivalry! You can pick up a copy anywhere books are sold.
Without their star player Johnny Bebie, the Rocky River Pirates needed big efforts from other key players and got them in a thrilling 22-21 victory over their rivals, the Bay Village Rockets at home tonight.
Rocky River Quarterback Julian Patti threw for 178 yards on 10 of 14 passing with 2 touchdowns tosses as well. Running back Zach Wilson took advantage of extra reps with 58 yards on 12 carries along with the game winning score.
Ryan Ricketti and Mack Massad both had first half touchdown catches to build the 14-0 lead for Rocky River. Ricketti caught 2 balls on the night, for 22 yards. While Massad had 2 catches for 68 yards. Demis Salivares caught 2 balls for 46 yards.
Bay Village does what the Rockets do best, run the ball with a bevy of ball carriers. Tonight, no less than 7 different players carried the ball for the Rockets. They were led by Brendan Spellman with 14 carries for 83 yards. Charlie Rice with 45 yards on 10 carries. Charlie Rogers with 20 yards on 6 carries, as well as Wondu Evans with 19 yards on 3 carries and 69 yards rushing for Mac Weingart who also had all three Bay Village touchdowns.
One of the reasons why I love this rivalry are the families that pass through it. It wasn’t long ago that I was covering Nick Buttari, and tonight, it was his younger brother Tony getting some shine! Tony went 5 of 9 passing for 48 yards while also rushing the ball 5 times for 24 yards.
After forcing a Rocket punt, the Pirates started the game from their own 35 and went to work. Julian Patti went 4 of 4 on the drive for 55 yards. Zach Wilson ran the ball 4 times for 26 yards and the Pirates struck first. The score came on a 11-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Ricketti with 3:56 to go in the opening quarter.
The next time the Pirates had the ball, they faced a 3rd and a long when Patti reared back and hit Mack Massad in stride. Mack caught it and took off down the middle of the field breaking tackles left and right on his way to a 58-yard touchdown. It was 5 plays for 70 yards in only 2:13 off the clock in the early moments of the second quarter.
Down 14-0, the Rockets knew they needed a drive and got one. Using a steady diet of runs the moved the ball down the field. It was a nice mix of Charlie Rice, Brendan Spellman, Charlie Rogers and Wondu Evans toting the rock. Twice on the drive they were faced with a fourth and inches, and twice they converted with quarterback Tony Buttari keepers up the middle.
They’d cash in on a Mac Weingart 2-yard touchdown run as no less than 6 different Bay Village Rockets carried the ball on the drive. Rogers then took in a two-point conversion to make it 14-8 River at the half. The drive was 19 plays for 80 yards.
The Pirates saw two drives fizzle to start the second half. This gave Bay Village a chance to tie or take the lead and they did. After a scoreless third quarter, Mac Weingart opened the fourth quarter scoring on the very first play with an 8-yard touchdown run. They went 50 yards on 9 plays following a River fumble at midfield.
River didn’t trail long however as they scored on their next possession with a 9-yard touchdown run by Zach Wilson. They then converted the 2-point conversion to make it 22-15 with 8:44 to play. It was a 9 play drive, taking up 62 yards in 3:12 of action. The big play on the drive was a 28-yard pass to a wide open Demis Salivares.
Bay Village would begin their next scoring attempt from their own 8-yard line after a penalty on the ensuing kickoff. The idea was to soak up enough time driving down the field to eventually score with little to no time remaining. Wouldn’t you know it, that is exactly what they did! Once again it was Mac Weingart crossing the goal line from 1 yard out to make it 22-21 with 1:49 to play.
Bay Village then had a choice to go for the tie or lead and they went for the lead and were stopped. The try was unsuccessful and the Pirates held the 1-point lead with 1:49 to go. It was a gutsy call by head coach Ron Rutt but on the road in a rivalry game, the smart one even though it came up empty.
Rocky River would hold on for the 22-21 victory. The Pirates will look to stay hot next week as they travel to Fairview, while the Rockets will look to bounce back as they visit North Olmsted in a key GLC tilt.
Great to see you at the game, Vince. Keep up the good work!