by As fall progresses towards winter, the high school football regular season must go with it. For both the visiting Rocky River Pirates and the North Olmsted Eagles, the regular season comes to an end after this game.
After each team lost last week’s matchup respectively, both were hoping to finish the season on a positive note.
First Half
After only two plays, Tommy Bebie ran 75 yards and scored a touchdown. The Pirates began to pillage ship early in this game, leading 7-0 before a minute even came off the clock.
Running a quick no huddle offense, the Eagles began to drive the field. Mixing in wildcat runs from RB Jared Kelley kept the Pirates defense on their heels, but it was QB Xavier Balson who rushed in a 20 yard touchdown dash. After an extra point, the game was tied 7-7.
To start the second quarter, beginning their drive deep in their own territory after another quick Pirates punt gave the Eagles quite a task to drive the length of the field. They failed to do that, so much so that they fumbled on their own ten yard line — giving the ball back to the Pirates deep in enemy waters.
Tommy Bebie would make the Eagles pay with another touchdown run, giving the Pirates a 14-7 lead.
Though the Eagles were driving, an interception from Spies who also plays defense for the Pirates, gave the ball back to the Pirates in enemy territory yet again. Spies threw and rushed his way to the goal line, where he drove in for a three yard touchdown rush. It was quite the five minute stretch for Spies on both sides of the ball.
With less than five minutes to go in the second quarter, the Pirates led 21-7.
Another failed drive from the Eagles allowed the Pirates another chance to extend their lead. Which they did –quickly again.
With under two minutes left in the half, this time it was Johnny Bebie stealing the show with a 63 yard touchdown rush. To end the half, the Pirates had a dominating halftime lead 28-7.
Second Half
With the Eagles forced to punt, the Rocky River Pirates looked to extend their lead. In just a few plays, they were able to drive the length of the field. Tommy Bebie struck again, this time a 40 yard dash down the sideline. Their lead grew to 35-7 after an extra point.
After a few deep heaves down field, the Eagles were finally able to connect on a deep 66 yard touchdown pass from Balson to WR Collin Willard. A failed two-point conversion made the deficit to the Pirates 35-13.
On what likely ended up being their longest drive of the night, the Pirates ended up having to attempt a 44 yard field goal by K Mack Masaad. Just barely, it skimmed into the uprights – extending their lead 38-13.
A couple explosive plays from the Eagles on their next drive allowed them to drive deep in enemy territory as the third quarter came to a close. As their lofty comeback effort was in full swing, RB Logan Dangerfield was electric on the drive. He scored a short touchdown, bringing the score to 38-19. Another failed two point conversion kept the score there.
Running the ball and continually finding holes in the Eagles defense, the Pirates and Bebie dominated the game on the ground. A 60 yard rush from Bebie set them up in Eagle territory. They scored, just not a touchdown. This time, it was another field goal from Masaad that increased their lead to 41-19.
This was not the last score of the game, as the Eagles drove the field again. Dangerfield scored a quick touchdown after a long drive, cutting the Pirates deficit even more after a two point conversion, 41-27.
This was, of course, too little too late. In a game dominated on the ground, the Pirates continued their season-long strategy of utilizing the Bebie Brothers’ legs. Though the Eagles made it interesting towards the end, the Pirates could not be stopped on the ground.
For both teams, their next game will be decided likely by the end of the night. The Pirates and Eagles will enter the tenth week 6-3.
Player of The Game:
Tommy Bebie – 210 Yards, 3 TD
