by MEDINA, Ohio – The atmosphere was filled with tension and excitement as the Buckeye Bucks hosted the long-time rival Rocky River Pirates in the regional quarterfinals in Northeast Ohio. The Pirates ultimately defeated the Bucks 48-41.
The first half was a true back-and-forth masterclass. Each team started off flawlessly, executing each drive to perfection, waiting on their opponents to make the first mistake, and hoping to turn the tide of the game. The Bucks scored on the opening drive, making it 7-0. After four first downs, quarterback Turner Dolata exploited a hole in the Pirate defense, running the ball 15 yards to the endzone, capping off an electric drive and setting the tone for the rest of the night.
The Pirates gained possession at the 7:28 mark and fired back quickly, making their way down the field in a blistering two minutes and 19 seconds and scoring after three first downs. Quarterback Ryan Taylor ran the ball 21 yards into the endzone, making it 7-7.
However, the Bucks scored again on the next possession after an impressive kick return, starting them off at their own 40-yard line. Buckeye’s Dolata faked a handoff to Roman Krettler and threw a pass to Derek Snyderburn. After building on the momentum and making their way down the field, the Bucks found themselves five yards from the endzone, where Krettler carried the ball into the endzone for the Bucks’ second touchdown of the night, making it 14-7 in favor of Buckeye.
It was clear early that this game would be back-and-forth all night long. The Pirates went on to score on the next drive, when Tristin Hughes plowed through the Bucks’ defense for a one-yard carry and touchdown, tying the game at 14-14.
The Bucks opened the second quarter with a 7:17 drive down the field. Four first downs and four penalties later, the Bucks found themselves on the one-yard line as Ryan Wilhelm rushed the ball one yard into the endzone for his final career touchdown, making the score 21-14 in favor of Buckeye.
The Pirates continued their trend of great kick returns and field position, starting on their own 40. A huge 37-yard pass from Ryan Taylor on 3rd & 15 to Tristin Hughes gave the Pirates a first down, keeping their drive alive. Taylor then threw a 27-yard pass to Danny Berg, who ran into the end zone, tying the game at 21-21.
The Bucks’ hot streak ended here, as Dolata was unfortunately unable to throw for a first down, and the Bucks turned the ball over to the Pirates on fourth down. Ryan Taylor showed off his athleticism as he pump-faked a throw and carried the ball 28 yards. The Pirates achieved another first down, and with 40 seconds left in the half, Taylor ran the ball again, this time for 17 yards. An offside call on the Bucks put the Pirates at first and goal on the five yard line. Another carry by Ryan Taylor right into the endzone put the Pirates up by 28-21 going into halftime.
The Pirates opened the second half with possession, starting on their 35 yard line. After a first down, a flag put them back 11 yards, then a scramble by Taylor gave them a 24-yard boost and another first down. After the Pirates made their way down the field, Taylor had his third rushing touchdown of the night, coming off a 16-yard keeper. The Bucks were now in trouble as the Pirates were now up two scores, 35-21.
Brayden Sopko came in for the Bucks in the second half, ready to do some damage, and got two quick first downs for the Bucks. However, the Bucks were able to rally after a 51-yard pass play to Nick Prouza, weaving in between the Pirate defense. With some stellar blocking from his teammates, he was able to take the ball all the way into the endzone, and the score now 35-28, still in favor of the Pirates.
But the Pirates’ time in the lead was short-lived. On the first snap of their ensuing drive, Logan Letner intercepted Taylor’s pass and turned on the jets. Letner went all the way to the endzone, crossing the goal line for a monumental pick-six and flipping the momentum of the game. The energy was absolutely electric, and just like that, the Bucks had clawed their way back into the game 35-35!
The Pirates fought back on the next drive as Taylor launched a 54-yard missile to Daniel Berg for the first down. Running back Joey DiSalvo ran the ball into the endzone a handful of plays later for a five-yard touchdown, putting the Pirates back in control of the contest, 42-35.
The Bucks kept their foot on the gas on the next drive, including three first downs and a dangerous cross-field pass to Nick Prouza, which kept the Bucks alive, and Brayden Sopko plowed through the Pirates’ defense for a four-yard touchdown. The Bucks drilled the extra-point attempt, but it was redacted after a false start flag. This put them back five yards, and they attempted the kick again, but missed short, making the score 42-41, still in favor of the Pirates.
On the next drive, the Bucks kept the defensive pressure on, nearly sacking Ryan Taylor, who threw up a last-second hail mary, which was caught by Hughes, good for 25 yards and a first down. Rowan Kennedy had his first reception of the night, catching the ball and barely getting into the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown. Following the touchdown, the Pirates attempted a two-point conversion, but the Bucks rallied sacking Ryan Taylor and the play was no good. With the clock winding down, the Bucks were down 41-48, yet the game was far from over.
With just over five minutes left, the Bucks started in great field position on the 40-yard line. On 4th down with four yards to go, Sopko attempted a carry for a first down, but was stopped less than a yard short, turning the ball over on downs to the Pirates.
With 3:50 left, the Pirates continued their impressive, fast-paced offense. After a couple of empty plays and a deflected pass attempt, the Pirates found themselves at 4th down with nine yards to go. They opted to attempt a field goal, but the kick was wide right and missed the goalpost completely. With one timeout left and a possession flip, the Bucks’ dreams weren’t crushed yet.
With 80 yards to go, the Bucks took their final timeout of the night. As Livin’ on a Prayer echoed through the stadium, the fans and team remained hopeful for a come-from-behind victory. Unfortunately, Turner Dolata’s final pass was intercepted by Michael Worgull, ending the Bucks’ historic season. With under a minute to go, the Pirates took a knee, and the game ended 48-41 as they will advance to the regional semifinals.
As disappointing as it is to go out in a down-to-the-wire, winner-take-all game like this one, it would only be right to congratulate the Bucks on their historic season. Ending with a record of 11-1, this team was only the fourth in Buckeye history to go 10-0 in the regular season and the first to reach 11 wins in a season. The Bucks were also the Cleveland West Conference (CWC) champions and earned themselves a first-round bye.
Congratulations, Buckeye Bucks!
Buckeye’s player of the game had to be senior quarterback Turner Dolata, who completed 10 of his 15 passes with 177 yards and a 51-yard touchdown. He also carried the ball four times for 42 yards, including a 15-yard keeper touchdown. Other notable players for the Bucks include Logan Letner who had a 39-yard pick-six, Roman Krettler who carried the ball 19 times for 114 yards with a five-yard touchdown rush, and Brayden Sopko who didn’t see much time until the second half.
However, Sopko still came away with 12 carries for 74 yards and a four-yard touchdown. Additionally, Mason Dolata had 45 receiving yards on 4 receptions and Ryan Wilhelm carried the ball 7 times for 38 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. Finally, Nick Prouza had 66 yards and a 51-yard touchdown.
It was truly a battle of two great quarterbacks tonight, as the Pirates’ player of the game was without a doubt Ryan Taylor. Taylor completed 17 of his 24 passes, good for 281 yards, a 27-yard touchdown, and a 15-yard touchdown. Taylor was really a jack-of-all-trades, carrying the ball 15 times for a blistering 181 yards and three touchdowns, good for 21, 16, and 5 yards respectively.
Some other Pirates to shout out include receiver Daniel Berg who had 8 receptions for 112 yards tonight and Tristin Hughes who had 115 receiving yards, a five-yard catch and run into the endzone, and a one-yard rush into the endzone for his pair of touchdowns tonight. Running back Joey DiSalvo also had a good outing, carrying the ball nine times for 84 yards including a five-yard touchdown in the second half.
The Rocky River Pirates will face Toledo Catholic Central and the Fighting Irish next week, hoping to keep their impressive season and playoff run alive. Congratulations to both teams tonight, who truly put on a cinematic thriller for the ages!
