by It was a tight battle, but in the end, the Bay Village Rockets defeated visiting Westlake, 28-21 to capture the victory and retain the jug.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Rockets got rushing touchdowns from Charlie Rogers from 3 yards out and Brendan Spellman, also from 3 yards out, to build a 14-0 lead with 6:11 to play in the second quarter.
After Westlake cut into the lead with a Matthew Porcelli touchdown run, the Rockets would extend it to 21-7 on a 29-yard touchdown run by Brendan Spellman to with 1:19 remaining in the half.
The score didn’t move for the bulk of the third quarter until a Rocket fumble gave the Demons the ball near midfield to open the fourth quarter. Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, Matthew Porcelli rushed in again, this time from 17 yards out to make it a one score game at 21-14.
A 2-yard touchdown run by Mac Weingart put the Rockets up 28-14 with 7:28 to go in the game. It was a big enough lead to feal comfortable, but still gave the Demons plenty of time for a comeback attempt.
Down 28-14 with a little under four minutes to go, Brucchieri tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Cole, to cut into the lead at 28-21. They were able to get any closer and the Rockets hung on for the 28-21 victory.
The Westlake Demons will look to bounce back next as they host North Olmsted.
Bay Village travels to Rocky River for a border war in one of the greatest rivalries in Ohio High School Football History.
