When Rocky River found out its Division III, Region 10 quarterfinal against Mansfield Senior was moved to its home stadium, the Pirates anticipated an electric home crowd on Nov. 3.
Hours before the game, the team was disappointed to discover that it would be held with no fans.
The show went on at Rocky River Stadium, as the Tygers’ defense swarmed the Pirates to end their season in a 55-21 loss.
“It was weird,” Rocky River Coach Josh Wells said. “Anyway you spin it, you are playing a Week 12 playoff game without any fans. It was definitely out of the ordinary. I felt bad for our kids, (Mansfield Senior’s) kids.”
Due to threats at Mansfield’s Arlin Field, the game was moved on Nov. 2.
Rocky River vs. Mansfield Senior football game moved to Rocky River
Wells thought the game was worse than the COVID-19 year in 2020 that allowed limited fans with social distancing regulations.
"At (the COVID-19 pandemic), there were parents in the stands. You had some people present. You had the band's presence," Wells said. "Our band did not come and play, It was nearly an empty stadium, outside of the players coaches, our cheerleaders, the Mansfield band and the district administrators."
Once the whistle blew, Mansfield Senior forced a fumble on Rocky River's opening drive and scored the first touchdown.
Rocky River quickly responded with a touchdown pass from quarterback Julian Patti to wide receiver Ryan Ricketti.
The 7-6 lead was the Pirates' only lead of the game, as Mansfield Senior's air raid offense took shape to score 21 unanswered points.
Tygers quarterback Duke Reese surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the year. He recorded 157 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns, as well.
Patti threw for 230 yards and Nick DiSalvo rushed for 117 yards. Ricketti had 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
"(Mansfield Senior) were able to get pressure on Julian (Patti)," Wells said. "They were big and fast up front and they got pressure pretty quickly. He wasn't very comfortable in the pocket. Nick (DiSalvo) was able to run the ball pretty well as the game went on. ... They had size and speed, where we couldn't match."
Rocky River ended its season 10-2. It won the Great Lakes Conference West Championship, with an undefeated 5-0 conference record. Mansfield senior advanced to the Division III, Region 10 semifinal to play top seed Toledo Central Catholic on Nov. 10.
