by The Black River Pirates handed the unbeaten Columbia Raiders their first loss of the season in a hard-fought 24-20 win. On a night where the weather conditions were not in favor of throwing the ball, the Pirates were led by their sophomore running back Jayce Hopek. Hopek rushed for 117 yards and 1 touchdown on 23 carries. However, the Pirates were getting big plays throughout the game from both sides of the ball. The win marks the first time since the 2016-17 season that Black River defeated Columbia.
Black River got off to a quick start from the opening kickoff. The Pirates returned the kick all the way to Columbia’s 20 yard line to set up great starting field position. A few moments later, the Pirates found the endzone on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Eric Groesser to Zan Bungard. Their defense got started early as well. The first offensive drive for Columbia ended with a quick 3-and-out. However, on Columbia’s next possession, they put together a methodical 10-play 76-yard scoring drive. Senior running back Marco Cirigliano capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. After the PAT, the game was tied at 7.
The tie game did not last long. On Black River’s next drive, they went 70 yards in 9 plays to break the tie. Eric Groesser found Braylon O’Neal for a 10-yard touchdown. Groesser put together quite the game himself. He went 9/16 passing for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also hit a 30-yard field goal late in the game.
The back-and-forth would continue in the first half. The Raiders marched right back down the field on their next possession. Marco Cirigliano found paydirt for the 2nd time in the half on a 7-yard touchdown run. Following the PAT, the game was knotted up at 14. That would be the score heading into halftime as Columbia was set to receive the 2nd half kickoff.
The defenses picked up for both teams to start the 2nd half. On each team’s first possession of the half, they could not get anything going. However, Columbia would go back to their bread and butter on their next drive. Raider running back Marco Cirigliano was putting the team on his back offensively as he found the endzone for the third time in the game. His third score was his biggest run of the night as he scampered 29 yards for a touchdown. This gave Columbia their first lead of the night. However, the PAT was blocked by the Pirates and the Raiders would have to settle for a 20-14 lead.
The Pirates had to produce some sort of answer to keep themselves in the game. They did just that as they drove deep into Raider territory. Unfortunately for Black River though, they would have to settle for a field goal. Eric Groesser would hit a 30-yard field goal to cut the lead to 20-17 early in the 4th quarter.
On the first play of Columbia’s ensuing possession, the Pirate defense forced a Marco Cirigliano fumble. Black River came out of the pile with the ball and a chance to take the lead back in the late stages. Early in the drive however, the Pirates were faced with a 4th down and 6 yards to go. Eric Groesser made what could easily be considered the play of the season. With a defender draped all over him, Groesser threw the ball up to Blake Hopkins. Hopkins would finish off the play with an incredible over-the-shoulder catch that set the Pirates up with a new set of downs.
Just one play later, Jayce Hopek took a handoff 8 yards into the endzone to take the lead back for Black River. The Hopek score would be the icing on the cake for the Pirates. The Black River defense came through and made stops down the stretch to seal the win.
It will be interesting to see how this shakes up the playoff bracket for both teams. Columbia still comes out as outright LC8 Champions and will host at least one playoff game. Black River is very deserving in their own right, to host a playoff game of their own.
Players of the Game
Columbia RB Marco Cirigliano: 20 carries for 84 yards and 3 touchdowns
Black River RB Jayce Hopek: 23 carries for 117 yards and 1 touchdown
