H.S. Football: Black River runs over Brookside by running up 252 yards on the ground

SHEFFIELD VILLAGE — Black River pulled out a classic game plan Friday night. The Pirates ran the ball up and down the field to the tune of 252 yards in rolling to a 35-0 Lorain County League win over Brookside. "They executed everything we asked them to do throughout the week tonight, so we're really proud of that," Black River coach Kyle Clark said. "Some of the new formations and positions for the guys, I thought they did really well." Black River (6-2, 4-1 LCL) still has a chance to clinch a piece of the championship if it defeats Clearview and Columbia in its final two games. Brookside falls to 3-5, 1-4. The Pirates turned running back Jayce Hopek loose. The sophomore ran for 95 of his 124 yards in the second quarter, progressively getting more explosive with each carry. He scored two touchdowns, holding off the Cardinals defense and diving for the pylon to cap a 32-yard run that put Black River up 35-0. "Our line was doing a great job creating big holes for me and I just went with what they gave me," Hopek said. "They were doing a great job creating huge holes. I came up from having two fumbles in the Keystone game, so I was really focusing on ball control, holding onto the ball and just taking what the defense gave me." After Seth Gaspari returned an interception back 24 yards for a TD to give Black River a 21-0 lead, Brookside found some rhythm to open the second quarter. The Cardinals leaned on running back Trevor Kitzberger, who led the team with 51 yards. The freshman jump-started the Cardinals with a 15-yard run on the second play of their third possession. He then carried the ball the next seven plays, but Black River stuffed him on fourth-and-1 to end the drive. "I think the right side of our line really picked it up tonight," Kitzberger said. "They just got me to where I needed to go. I think my size of being so small can get me quick through the hole and break out for a run. We need to put up some points to finish the season." Brookside's best chance to get on the board came when senior Brennen Gainer returned the opening kick of the second half 63 yards to the Black River 28-yard line. Quarterback Nick Arra found Ben Montgomery in the back of the end zone for what looked like a 17-yard touchdown. However, the officials ruled the pass incomplete. To compound the situation, Brookside was flagged with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ultimately turned the ball over on downs. "We're going to have to look in the mirror and win the war up front," Brookside coach Scott O'Donnell said. "We have to continue to get better each practice, each game and we have our work cut out for us with Columbia the next week and Clearview the following." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com and follow him @CSweeney1686 on X. -30-