H.S. Football: Clearview runs past Black River in second half

SHEFFIELD — Clearview made a statement with its run game after halftime Friday. The Clippers dominated the ball with their opening drive of the third quarter, running 18 plays and eating 7:18 of the clock. The drive ended with running back Ethan Lorenzana's 3-yard score as Clearview pulled away from Black River for a 26-19 Lorain County League win. "We knew this was going to be a running game this week," said Lorenzana, who led the way with 125 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. "We just had to find the holes and my line did it for me. I love these boys." Black River (6-3, 4-2 LCL) can only play spoiler now when it faces Columbia (9-0, 6-0) in Week 10. If the Pirates win, Clearview (7-2, 5-1) has a shot at sharing the crown with the Raiders should it also defeat Brookside next week. Both teams struggled out of the gate, but Clearview's offense found some rhythm on its second drive. The Clippers went 68 yards on 13 plays, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Cy Christensen to Keith Colvin on fourth down for a 7-0 lead. Clearview's defense continue to smother Black River, forcing the Pirates into their second three-and-out in three drives, the other possession lasting only six plays. The Clippers offense marched right back down the field, going 64 yards in nine plays — and two Black River penalties — with Christensen throwing his second TD pass, this time a 20-yarder to Ayden Cruz. "After our first drive we just kept it going," Christensen said. "We started off hot and getting those first two touchdowns on the board helped us a lot." Black River found something on its fourth possession, getting receiver Seth Gaspari involved on a variety of jet sweeps that seemed to open running room for back Jayce Hopek. The sophomore was limited to four straight attempts for no gain before bursting through for 18 yards on three carries, followed by a Gaspari 18-yard gain. The combination allowed Black River to drive 72 yards with quarterback Eric Groesser scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run to cut Clearview's lead to 14-7. "That drive gave us a lot of momentum for sure," Gaspari said. "They adjusted in the second half, moving their main linebacker so we couldn't run that sweep as effectively, but that drive gave us a lot of momentum." Aside from that drive, however, Black River's offense was grounded until the final 36 seconds of the game. Five of its seven other drives ended in a three-and-out, another in a turnover and its second-longest drive entering the final minute was just six plays. Things got crazy in the final 36 seconds when Zane Bungard returned a blocked field goal 85 yards for a touchdown. The sophomore then recovered an onside kick. Groesser, who had passed for just 3 yards to that point, strung together 60 yards in three completions, ending with a 32-yard touchdown to Johnny Kray as time expired. "We've been improving and working hard on defense," Clearview coach Mike Collier said. "We have to continue to do a good job of eliminating the other team's run game, but our kids are improving week to week and that's all we can ask of them." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com and follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.