By Rob Trautman

Fairview Park, OH- The SOT Game of the Week featured two neighborhood rivals trying to stay in the mix in the Great Lakes Conference. The visiting Rocky River Pirates are (1-1 0-1) and coming off of a 24-21 loss to the Valley Forge Patriots.  The Fairview Park Warriors are also (1-1 1-0) coming off of a big 42-14 win against Normandy.

It started as a hot and humid 90 degree night in Fairview Park, Ohio. Soon there would be a storm of scoring from both teams to start, before the rain and lighting would postpone the game.  Both teams punted to start the game with the defense playing fast and physical from both teams.  With 8:44 in the first quarter Fairview’s special teams blocked a punt that was snapped over the punters head deep into Pirates territory.  The Rocky River defense stood its ground as Fairview was unable to capitalize having to punt the ball back to the Pirates.  They did however pin them back at their own two yard line.  That didn’t seem to bother Rocky River’s offense who would score on a handoff to Pirates running back Tommy Bebie.  Bebie would go 98 yards for a Rocky River touchdown making it 6-0.  The Pirates would try a two point conversion, but they were unable to convert.  The score remained 6-0 Pirates in the first quarter with 6:12 remaining.

The Warriors would respond with a solid drive that was capped off by a 28-yard touchdown run by Fairview running back Matt Kaufmann.

The extra point was good and the Warriors led 7-6 in the first quarter with 1:12 left in the quarter.  Rocky River would get the ball back and turn it over before the first quarter would end. Fairview recovered the fumble and would be back into Rocky River territory to start the second quarter.

In the second quarter Fairview would drive down to the Rocky River 5 yard line before a penalty would push them back to the Pirates 10.  That drive would stall at the 10 yard line and the Warriors would bring put their Sophomore kicker David Nemeth who would connect on a 27 yard field goal to add on to their lead.  Fairview would now lead 10-6 in the second quarter  with 7:33 left.

Thats when the game was delayed because of lighting.  The storm calmed down and players tried to come out and stretch, but the lighting continued. The game was postponed till Saturday morning.

The game continued Saturday morning at 10am. Rocky River came out firing first scoring on a 59 yard touchdown pass from QB Braedon Spies to Christian Dean, the game was tied at 13 a piece.  The game was tied at 13 going into halftime.

Rocky River continued their offensive explosion in the third quarter outscoring  Fairview 14-0.  At the end of three quarters the Pirates led 27-13.

In the fourth quarter each team would score one touchdown a piece. The Pirates would win 34-20.