WESTLAKE, Ohio (Oct. 7, 2022) -- The Rocky River defense stepped up with a big effort, and junior quarterback Julian Patti threw three touchdown passes, as the Pirates plundered the Westlake Demons 38-3 on Friday.
The Double-R defense registered two interceptions, two quarterback sacks, and six pass break-ups in what marked the first Rocky River-Westlake clash since 2019. The Pirates outscored their hosts 31-0 over the final three quarters of the Great Lakes Conference West Division battle.
The Demons (3-5, 0-4 GLC West) scored first but River battled back to level the game at 7-7 when Patti connected with junior wide receiver Rowan McDougal on a 70-yard touchdown pass. A 33-yard Mack Massad field goal vaulted the visiting Pirates in front (10-7) at the 8:34-mark of the second quarter.
At 4:25 of the second, a 4-yard TD pass from Patti to Massad extended the River lead (17-7). Sophomore defensive back Josh Mommers' third interception of the season nixed any pushback from Westlake, and the Pirates went into halftime leading 17-7.
The River Raiders logged a nine-play, three-minute-and-30-second TD drive to open the second half: they took a 24-7 lead on a Patti-to-Stan Heuler pass. That score -- on Patti's 10th touchdown pass of the season -- would be the only one of the third quarter. The final frame saw running scores by Patti and junior Brody Hahn and an interception (Ben Bogre) to keep the Demons at arm's length.
For the game, the Buccaneers gained 184 yards on the ground and a season-high 193 yards through the air. The total of 377 yards marked Rocky River's most this season; the Pirates have registered leapfrog season-highs in that department in three of the last four weeks.
Julian Patti went 12-of-20 in leading that Pirate aerial assault. Nick DiSalvo (nine carries, 69 yards) and Zach Wilson (9-47) were River's top rushers. Heuler hauled in four passes for 44 yards; McDougal logged three for 93. Heuler also gave the Pirates a lift on defense with his nine tackles and two sacks. Bogre added nine stops, and Trent Delventhal had six.
Rocky River (4-4, 3-1) has now won three consecutive games this season and in its all-time series with Westlake. The Pirates will host North Olmsted on Friday, Oct. 14.
Check back for more game coverage and preview next week's battle against the Eagles with Hash Marks -- RR Football news and notes, published Wednesdays during the season.
by Skip Snow
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