by Streetsboro, Ohio – The Streetsboro Rockets kicked off the 2024 season with a 29-21 victory over the visiting CVCA Royals at Quinn Field Friday night.
The Rockets won the coin toss and elected to receive to start off Friday’s game. They would finish their opening drive with a 28-yard touchdown scamper from senior Cohen Klimak. The PAT was no good and Streetsboro led 6-0.
On the CVCA Royals’ second possession, they turned to their ground attack, led by Joey Kopec and Wesley Keeler. They capped off their drive with a two-yard touchdown run from junior running back Nick Schober. The PAT was good and CVCA led 7-6 at the 10:24 mark of the second quarter.
Streetsboro countered with a seven-minute drive of their own, which featured a fourth-down conversion from Cohen Klimak. Junior Janiere Cook finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, giving the Rockets a 13-7 lead. They would maintain this mark going into the halftime break.
The Rockets would add to their lead in the third quarter. After getting a defensive stop, they would score a safety after an errant snap sailed past punter Calvin Warren. The Rockets took advantage after the free kick, finishing their drive with a Marcus Council touchdown with 6:32 left in the third quarter.
Streetsboro took a 22-7 lead into the final stanza, but CVCA would not go down without a fight. Royals junior quarterback Charley Levak found classmate Brayden Harris for a 30-yard touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 22-14 with 10:41 left.
The Rocket running attack advanced the ball downfield at will, eating up clock and gaining several yards. Needing to pick up a couple of yards on fourth down, the Rockets not only picked up those, but 15 more after that, as Marcus Council bulldozed his way into the end zone for another touchdown. This would put Streetsboro ahead, 29-14, with 4:54 to play. Council finished with 102 yards on 16 carries Friday night.
CVCA countered with a two-yard touchdown run from junior Joey Kopec. That would turn out to be the final margin, as Streetsboro recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt, and took a knee to finish the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Streetsboro QB/DB Cohen Klimak (Sr.)
The senior signal caller and four-year starter made a big impact Friday night, with 25 carries on 194 yards and a touchdown. He had multiple big runs throughout the night, helping the Rockets maintain possession and keep drives alive.
Extended highlights below:
