RICHFIELD — On a misty night, Revere showed a lot of grit on the defensive side of the ball vs. Rocky River.
However, the Minutemen couldn’t find enough offense to hold off high-tempo Pirates.
Though it took awhile to get going, Rocky River scored 14 fourth-quarter points on route to a 23-14 win over the Minutemen Nov. 7 at Revere in a Division III, Region 10 regional quarterfinal.
Revere ends it season at 8-3, while Rocky River (10-2) advances to face Medina Buckeye in a regional semifinal Nov. 14.
“Our defense really bunkered down,” said Revere coach Bobby Nickol. “They knew what they were up against tonight. We didn’t execute very well on offense. It was one of our sloppier games of the season and we had two weeks to get ready for it. That’s 100 percent on me.”
The game pitted Revere’s run game against Rocky River’s passing prowess.
Revere established the run early, as a 44-yard run by James Perry on the opening drive set up QB Chase Clifford for a 5-yard TD scramble on the opening drive.
However, the Minutemen sputtered on offense from there. Although Perry finished with 120 yards rushing on 18 carries, the closest Revere came to scoring until the fourth quarter was a missed field goal before the half.
Meanwhile, Rocky River took a 9-7 lead at the half, thanks to a 43-yard FG from Eric Gorius and a 27-yard TD pass from Ryan Taylor to Rowan Kennedy.
Twice in the third quarter, Revere’s defense stuffed the Pirates on fourth down in Minutemen territory. The first was a goal-line stand from the Revere 1, as a Pirate penalty and incomplete pass left Rocky River empty handed after a 16-play drive.
In the fourth quarter, however, River found the big play. Taylor threw long ball down the sideline to Kennedy for a 79-yard TD to make it 16-7.
Down by two scores, Revere went to the passing game and then its bag of tricks to reply. Perry took a hand off from Clifford but then threw the ball back to Clifford, who turned it into a 19-yard TD pass.
Clifford did it all, going 6-of-10 for 79 yards passing, rushing for 39 yards and a TD, along with the receiving TD, before leaving the game late in the fourth with an injury.
However, Rocky River found its own quick answer. Taylor threw a screen pass to Tristin Hughes, which Hughes turned into a 36-yard TD to put things out of reach.
Taylor finished 19-of-29 for 303 yards with 3 TDs and one interception.
“We just got a couple bad field positions, which kind of limited what we could do,” Nickol said. “We just didn’t take advantage of some big play. That’s the breaks of football, but we’re not going to hang our heads.”
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Rocky River wins 23-14 to end season for Revere football
The Pirates scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Rocky River will play Medina Buckeye in Division III, Region 10 semifinal next week. Revere finishes the season at 8-3.
Rocky River football scores quick reply on screen play for TD
The Pirates didn’t take long to re-establish their two score lead.
Ryan Taylor threw his third TD of the night, as Tristin Hughes turned a screen pass into a 36-yard TD. Eric Gorius hit the PAT, making the scored 23-14 with 5:05 left in the game.
Revere football dials up trick play to cut into lead
Revere ocach Bobby Nickol reached into his bag of tricks to get the Minutemen back in the game.
Chase Clifford handed off to Jame Perry. Perry then threw it back to Clifford, who bounced off a couple tacklers for a 19-yard TD. David Kennedy hit the PAT to cut it to 16-14 with 7:16 left in the game.
Rocky River football finds the end zone with long ball
After several near-misses, Rocky River found the big play it was looking for.
Ryan Taylor tossed a long ball down right sideline and Rowan Kennedy hauled it in and took it 79 yards for his second TD of the night. Eric Gorius hit the extra point, making it 16-7 Pirates
Rocky River maintains 9-7 lead over Revere football through three quarters
Revere’s defense has kept it close in the third quarter, thanks to a pair of fourth down stops in Minutemen territory. Revere has the ball with first and 10 at the Rocky River 37 to start the fourth.
Halftime statistics for Rocky Rover-Revere football
Rocky River football leads Revere 9-7 at the half.
Revere had a chance to take the lead before the half, but a 34-yard FG attempt went wide left. Rocky River attempted a Hail Mary at the end of the half, but came up short.
The Pirates lead 9-7 at the half and will receive the second half kickoff.
Rocky River takes lead thanks to a pair of long passes
After sputtering in the first half, Rocky River got its passing game going to take its first lead.
Following a 32-yard pass from Ryan Taylor to Tristin Hughes, Taylor hit Rowan Kennedy on a 27-yard post route to find the end zone. The extra point attempt failed, but Rocky Rivers takes the lead at 9-7 with 6:33 left in the first half.
Revere football leads Rocky River 7-3 after one quarter
An interception by Revere’s Lane Shenigo ended a threat by Rocky River late in the first quarter. The Minutemen open the second quarter with third and six at their own 46.
Rocky River answers opening drive with a long FG
Rocky River’s passing offense had a good drive going until an illegal block penalty stalled the drive. However, kicker Eric Gorius showed a good leg, hitting a 43-yard FG, making it 7-3 Revere with 6:41 left in the first quarter.
Revere football opens playoffs with solid TD drive
The Minutemen opened up their playoff run in style.
Boosted by a 44-yard run from James Perry, Revere found the end zone when QB Chase Clifford scrambled for 5-yard TD run. David Kennedy hit the extra point, making it 7-0 Revere with 8:54 left in the first quarter.
Rocky River football wins coin toss and defers; Revere to receive
Rocky River football won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. Revere will receive the opening kickoff and defend the south goal in the first quarter.
Who are the players to watch for Revere-Rocky River football?
Revere will be led by QB Chase Clifford, who went 12-of-24 passing for 149 yards passing, along with 62 yards rushing and a TD in week 10 vs. Copley. RB James Perry has become the Minutemen’s workhorse in the second half of the season. Perry ran for 89 yards and two TDs vs. Copley. …
Rocky River’s pass-oriented offense is led by QB Ryan Taylor, who went 25-of-37 (67.6%) for 247 yards with a TD and two interceptions vs. Midview in the Minutemen’s playoff opener. Taylor’s favorite target is Tristin Hughes, who had 11 catches vs. Midview and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season.
Revere football scores, schedule
Rocky River football scores, schedule
Contact Michael Leonard at mleonard@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA football playoff scores, Revere High School vs Rocky River recap
Reporting by Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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