STREETSBORO—Streetsboro’s rushing attack proved to be too much for the Chagrin Falls defense to handle as the Rockets ran their way to a 55-14 win over the visiting Tigers on Friday.
The Rockets’ offensive trio of Krys Riley-Richardson, Donovan Washington-Perdue and Maysun Klimak combined for six of the team’s seven rushing touchdowns in a wire-to-wire victory.
Strong efforts on special teams kept the Tigers in the game early, but the Rockets’ size and physicality ultimately wore them down.
“We did some good on the offensive end,” said Chagrin Falls coach Mark Iammarino. “Then we started to wear down a little bit. They’re a good football team.”
Riley-Richardson opened the scoring with a 68-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game.
Chagrin Falls followed this score with a solid drive but was unable to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.
Streetsboro’s next two drives ended with rushing touchdowns as the Rockets took a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Xavier Perez returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown cutting the lead to 21-7 and energizing the Tigers’ sideline.
“Xavier is one of our big weapons and was last year as a sophomore,” Iammarino said. “He’ll be one of the better players in the Chagrin Valley Conference and we can count on him to make plays and when teams adjust, we have to have the other guys step up.”
Streetsboro responded with a Washington-Perdue rushing touchdown. A second great return by Perez positioned Chagrin Falls for a three-yard rushing touchdown, keeping the deficit at 14.
The Tigers’ defense was able to block a field goal on the following drive, keeping the score 28-14 at the half.
Chagrin’s hopes of a comeback ended quickly as the Rockets continued their offensive dominance in the second half when they scored four more times, highlighted by an 86-yard touchdown reception by Carter Giacomo.
“We were outgunned and we know that,” Iammarino said. “Their back is bigger than anyone we have on the offensive and defensive line. That’s a good football team, well-coached. They’re going to be really good. It’s a huge challenge for us. We have to keep working.”
Chagrin Falls travels to Kenston in Week 2.
