ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Nov. 8, 2024) -- Rocky River was ousted from the Buckeye State playoffs after a 49-29 loss to Lexington Friday night. The Pirates faltered late in a back-and-forth tussle that included no fewer than eight ties and lead changes. The visiting Minutemen trailed 29-27 heading into the fourth quarter of the DIII Region 10 quarterfinal played on a cool evening at Rocky River Stadium.

A banged-up Buccaneer squad gave a game effort throughout. Missing key players due to injury up and down the roster and in nearly every position group, the fourth-seeded Pirates at one point led by 13 (26-13 midway through the third quarter) in the effort to win in the postseason for an eighth time in program history. A strong performance by quarterback Joe Caudill brought No. 12 Lexington back from that deficit.

It was an 80-yard dash to paydirt by Caudill at 4:34 of the third that put the Minutemen (7-5) briefly ahead by one, 27-26. River would counter with a field goal less-than-3 minutes later, but the Pirates eventually ran out of gas in a second half that saw them doubled up in yardage (349-165). The LHS signal caller figured in each of seven Minutemen scores on the night; he finished the game with five rushing touchdowns and two passing TDs.  

From the midpoint of the third to the end of the game, Lexington outscored Rocky River 36-3.

For the game, River had its moments, but the Pirates were outgained by over-200 yards overall (514-309). Junior quarterback Ryan Taylor directed an offense almost exclusively reliant on gains through the air. And some were made: Taylor threw three TD passes against one interception and was a statistical component on 60 of River's 68 plays for the night (44 pass attempts, 16 rushing attempts). The junior pigskin slinger went 27-of-44 for 290 yards through the air. His 16 carries included being harassed in the backfield (and several times sacked) and totaled just 17 yards. Josh Mommers (11 catches, 143 yards, TD), Ben Bogre (three receptions for 39Y) and Cam Bulkowski (nine catches, 79Y, 2 TD) were Taylor's top targets. 

But after converting on 5-of-their-first-6 third downs, the Pirates went just 3-for-11 the rest of way. Drives stalled out, especially in the critical third and fourth quarters. During one stretch from 5:54 of the third to 8:18 of the fourth, the Maroon & White ran 16 plays from scrimmage and gained only 36 yards.

Defensively, the Pirates (8-4) were solid until perhaps tiring in the second half. The third quarter saw the River Raiders yield three 80-yard TD drives. Standout performances on that side of the ball included those by Bogre, Bulkowski, Jeff Maslar, Josh Mommers, and Charlie Uhler. [defensive game stats not available at time of publication]

Senior kicker Stephen Cain had a big night for the Double-R. Cain split the upright on three field goals (of 39, 30, and 35 yards) and booted seven kickoffs that registered as touchbacks.

Cain, Bogre, Bulkowski, and Mommers were among the 11 Pirate Greybeards clocking their final 60 minutes on the Gridiron in the Heart of River.

That senior core was instrumental in an autumn campaign that included a runner-up finish in the inaugural season of Cleveland West Conference play. A season that once again -- for a fifth year in a row, a program record -- reached Buckeye State brackets.

ATTABOYS & ACCOLADES: The DIII Northeast Lakes District announced its 2024 honorees on Thursday, and Rocky River players were well represented in that salute to on-field talent. Safety Josh Mommers and left tackle Will Sweeney were honored as First Team All-Northeast Lakes District performers. Wide receiver Cam Bulkowski, kicker Stephen Cain, and quarterback Ryan Taylor were tabbed as Second Teamers. Earning honorable mentions were linebacker Ben Bogre, wide receiver Oran Grieve, defensive lineman Steven McHenry, and safety Michael Worgull. 

FINAL TICKS: River finished the season with a deadlocked 335 points scored and 335 points allowed. ... With the Pirates going 8-4 this fall, the program has now reached eight-plus wins in three of the last four years. ... Friday's Lexington victory marked a measure of playoff retribution for the Minutemen. Rocky River defeated Lexington in the covid-year October playoffs in 2020 (29-7, Oct. 9).

by Skip Snow

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