ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates were defeated by the Valley Forge Patriots 27-7 on Friday.

The visitors scored touchdowns on four straight possessions over the first-through-third quarters in what marked Rocky River's 2022 home opener. Junior quarterback Dan Kiewel had a pair of rushing TDs and led a Valley Forge squad that controlled the pace of the contest throughout. The Patriots ran 66 plays to River's 34.

All four Patriot touchdown drives were longer-than-50 yards and comprised of more-than-six plays. None were answered until the 9:49-mark of the fourth quarter when senior tight end Stan Heuler hauled in a pass from junior quarterback Julian Patti and rambled 60 yards to paydirt. For the game, Patti went 12-of-19 with 125 passing yards. Heuler logged 107 yards on seven catches.

Prior to the River touchdown, the Pirates had six possessions. They ended in four punts and two interceptions.

A busy Rocky River (0-3) defense got solid performances from sophomore Josh Mommers (11 tackles), junior Ryan Ricketti (10T, interception), Heuler (7T, two tackles for loss), sophomore Cam Bulkowski (7T), and Aiden Konet (7T). Mommers has now registered double-digit tackle totals in back-to-back games.

With their Friday triumph, the Patriots have defeated the Pirates in four of five meetings the last five years. The all-time series between Valley Forge and Rocky River logs four wins a side.

River's loss snapped an 11-game win streak in home openers.


by Skip Snow

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