Normandy vs. Bay football: Invaders open CWC play with win over Rockets

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Special teams and special players were the difference, especially in the first half, as the visiting Normandy Invaders downed the Bay Rockets, 20-14, on Friday in the inaugural Cleveland West Conference game for both teams.

"We felt we had some great matchups coming into the game today," said Normandy coach Ian Kost, whose team built a 20-7 lead and fought off a late Bay rally attempt. "It just came down to being able to execute our game plan."

Normandy (2-2) set the tone early as Da'quarius (DQ) Bradley found a seam on the opening kickoff and took it 89 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

"He was with us in middle school, and it's great to have him back. He's just an incredible talent," Kost said. "He's one of the best kept secrets in the area, but he's probably not a secret anymore."

The Rockets (2-2) responded to the early strike by the Invaders with a methodical 11-play, 54-yard drive as running back Rocco Ereditario carried most of the load. Quarterback Michael Farrell was able to extend the drive with a fourth down run after rolling out to the left looking for an open receiver. Ereditario finished the drive with a dive play up the middle.

It was Normandy that found the fourth down magic on the ensuing drive as quarterback Elijah Gray found Bradley on a deep post over the top of the defense to take back the lead on a fourth-and-long.

The Invaders extended the lead after Bay misfired on a punt snap. The loose ball was scooped up by punter Wondu Evans but in the scramble couldn't get a kick off. The result was a first-and-goal for Normandy inside the 10-yard line. Bradley pushed it over the goal line three plays later for his third touchdown of the first half with the extra point making it 20-7.

Bay was again able to answer with another long drive to close out the half. This 15-play drive was finally capped when Farrell found wide receiver Brody Beggs deep over the middle for a 29-yard touchdown with just 25 seconds left in the half to make it 20-14, Normandy.

The second half settled into a defensive stalemate with neither team being able to sustain significant drives into the opponents territory or put up any additional points.

"A lot of credit to our entire defense and defensive coaching staff," Kost said. "Especially linebacker Ethan Gold. He's our top tackler and was making the plays all over the field tonight."

Bay's final opportunity of the night stalled out in Normandy territory with under a minute to go in the game.

"A lot of things didn't go our way, but we had our chances tonight," Bay coach Ron Rutt said. "The good news is that this conference will be wide open this year. There's a lot of football left, and we just need to work to get better."

Ereditario led Bay on the night with 29 carries for 127 yards.

With Bradley out of the game in the second half, even more of the load fell to Gray, who also took snaps at running back and safety in addition to returning punts. Gray finished with 150 yards of total offense.

Both teams continue conference play next week. Bay will be on the road next week to take on Buckeye. Normandy will return home to play North Olmsted.