by The Bay Village Rockets visited Bunts road in Lakewood to take on the Rangers. Both teams were going into the matchup 1-0 after opening week.
After a quick 3 and out by the Rocket offense, Lakewood went to work with Running Back Junior Don Mikuluk taking the bulk of the early carries. Then a pass from QB Alex Symons to Mikuluk for 10 yards and a nice jet sweep from Symons led to an easy TD from 3 yards out for Mikuluk. A nice balance of run and pass led to the Ranger’s early success. At 6:24 in the first, Lakewood up 7 to 0.
The rest of the half would belong to the Rockets. The Rockets Brendan Spellman had a long kick return to the Lakewood 33 yard line. Bay’s strategy on offense was to mix up who the snap actually went to. Some offensive trickery, and a lot of direct snaps to Junior Running back Spellman in the next drive led to an easy TD. With Spellman converting for a 2 point run, Bay led 8 to 7.
After a Ranger 3 and out the first quarter ended at 8-7 Rockets. Bay started the quarter with a nice drive mostly carried by the bullish running from Spellman. On a critical 4th down the Rockets called on Junior Running Back Charles Rice on a sweep from the Lakewood 26 yard line, but Ranger stalwart Don Mikuluk came up huge for the home team with a huge stick and tackle to make a stop for Lakewood.
On the very next play Lakewood QB Symons threw a pick to Rocket Junior Mac Weingart. Deep in Lakewoods end Spellman threw a nice pass to fellow Junior Jace Knapp for 15 yards. The next play Spellman had an RPO which he ran in for 6 and the Touchdown. Now a 14 to 7 Rocket lead.
On the next drive Lakewood RB Mikuluk fumbled on the second play of the drive, and was recovered by Bay Junior James Cox. On a crucial 4th and 10 for the Rockets, a surprise snap to Senior QB Tony Buttari who threw a perfect pass to Rice for a 14 yard gain and first down. Spellman again followed great blocking and plunged in from short for another TD. I was now 20 to 7 Rockets in command.
Lakewood again had no answer with almost no passing game. The Bay defense would load the box for the run and were shutting Lakewood down. The Ranger’s RB Mikuluk is a strong and talented player.
Bay had the ball late in the first half and looked like they might run the clock. Then Wideout Knapp took the snap and connected with Mac Weingart for a huge 29-yard gain. On the next play Spellman powered his way off left tackle in Beast Mode for another TD making the score 26 to 7 Rockets as the first half ended.
Senior Running Back Josh Bohurjak did show some signs of effort and ability for Lakewood in the second half, but the Rangers did not even score another point after their opening drive. Final score of 26-7 Rockets.
The Rockets offense was mostly carried by Brendan Spellman. Bay also had big plays from Buttari, Knapp, Weingart, and Rice. Lakewood’s Mikuluk had a good game on both sides of the ball, but Lakewood had no other answers. The Bay Village Rockets were the much better team at Lakewood Stadium tonight.
Player of the game:
Bay Village: RB Brendan Spellman
Lakewood: RB Don Mikuluk
Congratulations Brendan Spellman and the entire Bay Village team on a super game.