by Parma, Ohio – The Rocky River Pirates came into Friday night’s contest looking to display their explosive offense. They did exactly that in a big victory over conference opponent Normandy. QB Ryan Taylor led the way for the Pirates by going 16/27 passing for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 8 rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
In the early part of the 1st quarter, it looked as if it would be a defensive game. Rocky River was able to get into Normandy territory but failed to convert after a missed field goal. Normandy was able to get into Rocky River territory as well, but they were forced to punt.
On the Pirates next offensive possession, showing off their explosive ability, it took them just 3 plays to go 85 yards down the field for a touchdown. Ryan Taylor was able to find Cam Bulkowski for an 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown to put the Pirates ahead. The Invaders came right back with an 8-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own. Elijah Gray finished it off with a 17-yard touchdown run.
Rocky River was driving on their ensuing possession into Normandy territory. However, the Normandy defense scooped up an errant pitch attempt and returned it all the way to the Pirates’ 19 yard line. Taking full advantage of the turnover, the Invaders once again called on their quarterback Elijah Gray. Gray was able to find the end zone for the 2nd time in the half with a 10-yard run.
Elijah Gray would put on an impressive display of ball carrying throughout the night. He finished the game with 30 carries for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Pirates were not done scoring in the opening half either, however. A 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive was capped off by a 37-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Taylor to Danny Berg. Entering the break, the game was all knotted up at 14.
The second half started just as the first half did with consecutive defensive stops for each squad. The Normandy Invaders were unable to punt anything on the board with their first two possessions offensively. Meanwhile, they were able to get points on the board thanks to a high snap on a Rocky River punt attempt that sailed through the back of the end zone. The play resulted in a safety and 2 points for the Invaders.
On the Pirates’ 2nd offensive drive of the half, they scored quickly. They traveled 52 yards down the field in just two plays. Ryan Taylor capped the drive with his 3rd touchdown pass of the day to a 3rd different receiver. This time it was a 28-yard strike to Josh Mommers.
Rocky River’s defense would not allow the Normandy offense to score for the entirety of the second half. The Invaders’ offense was only able to muster 56 total 2nd half yards, 45 of which came on their opening drive of the half. All five of Normandy’s drives, not including the drive just before the end of the game, ended in a punt.
As for the Pirates’ offense, they would find the end zone twice more in the 2nd half, both in the 4th quarter. The first was with a 1-yard touchdown run from Josh Mommers, who would then catch the 2-point conversion try as well. The latter came on a QB keeper from Ryan Taylor that gave him his 4th score of the game overall.
In the end, the Rocky River Pirates came out on top in a 35-16 victory.
Week 7
Next Friday night, the Rocky River Pirates (5-1) will look to continue their hot streak as they host the North Olmsted Eagles (2-4). For the Normandy Invaders (2-4) they will look to bounce back as they travel to play the Lakewood Rangers (3-3).
PLAYER OF THE GAME: ROCKY RIVER QB RYAN TAYLOR
16/27 PASSING, 327 YARDS, 3 TDS; 8 RUSHES, 42 YARDS, 1 TD
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