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[Jacob Motta | WOUB]

River coasts to a shocking upset over Berne Union in Region 27 playoff showdown

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SUGAR GROVE, Ohio (WOUB)– The #2 seeded Berne Union Rockets faced off against the #7 seeded (Hannibal) River Pilots in a Division VII Region 27 quarterfinal matchup.

The Pilots struck first driving down to the 14-yard line and handing it off to running back Austin Creamer who bulldozed his way into the endzone for a touchdown. The two-point attempt failed and river lead 6-0.

The Rockets answered immediately on their first offensive play as quarterback Nate Nemeth pitched the ball to Brae Friesner and he took it 85 yards to the house, and then kicked the PAT to make the score 7-6 in favor of the Rockets.

From there on out it was all River. Creamer would find the endzone two more times for rushing touchdowns of less than five yards and quarterback Kaleb Isaly also added a rushing touchdown all in the second quarter. The score then stood 27-7 Pilots ahead.

The Rockets would finally answer back when Nemeth launched a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sammy Amnah to cut the lead to 13 points, but with time almost expired Isaly threw a deep ball of his own to River Thompson for a 41-yard touchdown giving River a 33-14 lead heading into halftime.

River High School Cheerleaders welcome the Pilots to the field in their game against the Berne Union Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Kabel Isaly of the River High School Piolots winds up for a pass in their game against the Berne Union Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Berne Union color guards twirling thier flags during their pregame performance at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Lucas Dennis, number 5, celebrates with his teammates in their game against the Berne Union Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Berne Union Rocket Charles Amnah is tackled into the end zone in their game against the River Pilots at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Brae Friesner, number 2, kicks a feild goal in their game against the River Pilots at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Kabel Isaly of the River High School Piolots looks for a pass in their game against the Berne Union Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Berne Union Cheerleaders dance to Cotton Eye Joe during halftime at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
River High School fans cheer on the Pilots during their game agianst the Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
The Pilots seen during a huddle during their game against the Berne Union Rockets at Berne Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]

The Rockets received the ball to start the third quarter and they scored on the opening drive as Nemeth rolled to his left, then threw all the way back across the field to Connor Godenschwager for a 30-yard touchdown making the score 33-21 Pilots.

There would be no more scores until the fourth quarter, and the Pilots were the only ones to see the endzone. Between three rushing touchdowns from Avery Creamer, Brody Lollathin, and Kaleb Isaly the score and final of the game was 53-21 River on top completing the upset.

Austin Creamer was a huge part of the Pilots offense scoring three times, and being able to effectively move the ball up field behind River’s monster offensive line who was getting a good push all night long.

River will move on to play Shadyside who defeated the Waterford Wildcats in the semifinals in region 27. Berne Union finishes the season 10-1.