PARMA, Ohio (Sept. 13, 2024) -- For a second straight season, the Sons of Blackbeard have hung half-a-hundred on the Valley Forge Patriots. On Friday night at Byers Field, Rocky River opened Cleveland West Conference play with a 52-28 triumph over the Patriots.

River, which trailed throughout much of the first half and was behind 21-20 at the half, overtook its hosts at the 9:43-mark of the third quarter and led the rest of the way in scoring exactly 52 points against the Patriots (1-3, 0-1 CWC) for a second straight season (52-14 on Sept. 15, 2023). The Pirates (3-1, 1-0) tallied 7 points in the opening frame, 13 in the second, 15 in the third, and 17 in the fourth.

[Game details not available at time of publication.]

The win marked a bounce-back for Rocky River after the Pirates had been drowned out, netting just 99 total yards in last Friday's 49-0 loss to Sandusky Perkins.

Next up for the River Raiders will be the 2024 Battle of the Bridge, as Rocky River and Lakewood tussle for the Helm Trophy on Sept. 20. That contest (Rocky River Stadium, 7 p.m.) will marks RRHS's Homecoming Game.

by Skip Snow

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