High school football: Hallmark run game missing in Black River loss to Hillsdale

MOHICAN TWP. — The new-look Black River offense did some things well at times Friday, but one highly unusual aspect that was missing cost the Pirates dearly in their first meeting with Hillsdale since 1969. Black River couldn't run inside — the program's bread and butter for multiple generations — and that made the Pirates one-dimensional in a 34-6 season-opening loss to the Falcons that was still relatively in doubt late in the third quarter. Black River ran 25 times for 109 yards, with most of them coming outside or on scrambles by quarterback Eric Groesser. The inside game featuring the powerful Charlie Wells (6 carries, 15 yards) never materialized due to poor blocking, forcing the Pirates to pass more than they would have liked. "We've got a lot of work to do in just about every aspect of the game," coach Kyle Clark said. "We've got to work on putting them in situations where they're uncomfortable." "When you can't attack every area of the field, they tee off on other sides of the field. We definitely couldn't run between the tackles. We've just got to get more comfortable in our positions with more reps in practice. With every game, they should get a little better." Scoring on their opening possession via a 3-yard run out of the Wildcat by H-back Blake Hopkins, the Pirates couldn't sustain drives while falling behind 13-6 at halftime. They later trailed 20-6 in the third quarter after star Falcons quarterback Jake Hoverstock rumbled 29 yards to paydirt but found signs of life on a 31-yard reception by Tyler Mrakuzic (6 carries, 32 yards; 5 catches, 85 yards). Facing second-and-7 from the Hillsdale 9-yard line, Groesser (10-for-24, 111 yards, INT; 9 carries, 52 yards) looked right for a slant route but was intercepted by Braylen Jarvis, who sprinted 91 yards untouched for a stunning momentum swing. Instead of potentially 20-12 or 20-14 — Groesser was unavailable to kick due to a minor leg injury — Black River trailed 27-6 with 2:01 left in the period. The Falcons capped the scoring on a Hoverstock 40-yard run 4:38 later. "That's a 14-point swing. That was huge," Clark said. "That really took the wind out of our sails. "Groesser had a lot of bright spots. He just doesn't have many varsity reps, so there are things he knows he can do better. He did play pretty well." The Pirates defense made plays behind the line of scrimmage and cornerback Alex Sotherland had an interception, but Black River struggled with Hoverstock's option running. The 5-foot-9 right-hander ran nine times for 109 yards and two scores while also going 6-for-10 for 118 yards, including a 33-yard floater to tight end Jake Haven to open the scoring 2:35 into the game. Running their option-based offense cleanly throughout — Hillsdale didn't fumble — the Falcons also got 75 yards on nine carries from Jarvis and 41 yards on nine carries from Max Vesper. Hillsdale finished with 422 yards total offense on 58 plays — a 7.3 average — and punted only once, pinning Black River at its 9. "We were stable," Clark said. "We have to work on getting off of blocks and getting to the runner. "(Hoverstock) is just really quick and elusive. They run their offense really well, too." Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com. Hillsdale 34, Black River 6 BLACK RIVER 6 0 0 0 — 6 HILLSDALE &emsp;&emsp;6 7 14 7 — 34 First H — Jax Rogers 33 pass from Jake Hoverstock (run failed), 9:25. B — Blake Hopkins 3 run (pass failed), 4:06. Second H — Max Vesper 1 run (A.J. Brown kick), 8:52. Third H — Hoverstock 29 run (Brown kick), 4:59. H — Braylen Jarvis 91 interception return (Brown kick), 2:01. Fourth H — Hoverstock 40 run (Brown kick), 9:23. &emsp;&emsp;H &emsp;&emsp;B First downs &emsp;&emsp;19 &emsp;&emsp;10 Rushing &emsp;&emsp;48/304 25/109 Rushing average &emsp;&emsp;6.3 &emsp;&emsp;4.4 Passing &emsp;&emsp;6/10&emsp;&emsp;10/24 Passing yards &emsp;&emsp;118 &emsp;&emsp;111 Total offense &emsp;&emsp;58/422 49/210 Punting &emsp;&emsp;1/32.0 5/37.2 Penalties &emsp;&emsp;8/68 &emsp;&emsp;9/57 Fumbles &emsp;&emsp;0/0 &emsp;&emsp;2/0 RUSHING: Black River — Eric Groesser 9-52, Tyler Mrakuzic 6-32, Charlie Wells 6-15, Hopkins 2-10, Justin Moody 2-0. Hillsdale — Hoverstock 9-108, Jarvis 9-75, Vesper 9-41, Troy Bennett 5-27, Presley Lewis 4-26, Danny Ritchie 2-24, Jake Haven 1-5, Brock Bower 2-3, Bo Moody 5-2, Drake Stubbs 1-(-3), Team 1-(-4). PASSING: Black River — Groesser 10-24-111-1. Hillsdale — Hoverstock 6-10-118-1. RECEIVING: Black River — Mrakuzic 5-85, Nathan Urbas 2-15, Hopkins 1-10, Moody 1-1, Alex Sotherland 1-0. Hillsdale — Jack Fickes 3-63, Rogers 1-33, Jarvis 1-12, David Parker 1-10.