by Rocky River struck quickly led by star 2-way player Tristin Hughes with 2 quick catches and 2 long runs including one being a 35 yard strike to get the Pirates up 7-0.
Manchester got their turn to strike on offense, led by star running back Phillip Partin as he started the game with 5 straight runs before a punt fest started between both teams. The Panthers started to put together a drive however got held to a 4th and 9 on the Pirates 32. They struck the first play of the 2nd quarter as Quarterback Greyson Swaino found wide out Noah Lance on a 32-yard dart in the right corner of the end zone to tie the game up at 7.
River started their next drive with a 32-yard dash up the middle by Junior halfback Rocco Baon, before Rocky Rivers drive stalled after getting stopped on 4th and 4 turning it over to the Panthers. The Panthers then went 3 and out leading to a 59-yard strike by Hughes followed up by a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Baon to put the Pirates up 14-7.
Both teams traded the ball back and forth as the Panthers went 3 and out but then an interception by Trent Hodgkinson stole the ball right back. The rest of the half was scoreless as Manchester turned over the ball twice, once a pick by Rivers Nathan Ishmael and Rivers Rowan Kennedy. The pirates went into the break leading 14-7.
The 3rd quarter didn’t receive much action either as it was a defensive show case with multiple 4th down stops, sacks, and swatted passes. Rocky River had a huge statement stop on 4th and 1 as the Panthers were trying to tie the game. They ran it up the middle and their drive was halted at the pirates 19. The Pirates still led 14-7 after 3.
The 4th quarter was an absolute Rocky River domination through and through. They started with a 66-yard run from Tristin Hughes to extend their lead to 14. The Panthers were then starting a drive for themselves before Rivers Tom Van Meter had a huge tackle for loss leading to a turnover on downs.
River led 21-7 with just over 4 minutes to go, as they marched down the field to finished off the game River’s Carter Atwater found wide out Brendan Konet twice on this drive. A 20-yard post over the middle and a 30-yard touchdown as the Pirates went up 28-7 closing the game out.
Players of the game:
Rocky River’s Tristin Hughes with 4 Rec for 82 yards and 9 carries for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns leading them to their large win.
The Panthers player of the game is running back Phillip Parton with 85 yards of total offense.
The Pirates (1-0) head to John Marshall next Saturday, and the Panthers (0-1) will head to Streetsboro next Friday to continue their season.
