Bay Gridders Launch Season with Overtime Win

The Bay High football opened the 2022 season with a hard-fought win over visiting West Geauga last Friday night.

The Rockets prevailed, 27-21, in overtime. Brendan Spellman took it around left end for a four-yard touchdown that left the Alumni night crowd happy.

Quarterback Tony Buttari opened the scoring with a 59-yard pass to receiver Jace Knapp. Spellman followed with a 30-yard run to make it 14-0. Then, in the final minute before the half, Buttari connected with tight end Jack McAlea to make it 21-0.

West G came alive in the second half on the warm night. The Wolverines scored three times to tie things up. Their final score, with just 40 second left in regulation, sent it into overtime.

West G got the ball first in OT, but were stopped on fourth down. That was the opening the Bay offense needed, and Spellman ended it from 4-yards out.

This is Bay’s second-straight opening night win over West G, having topped the tough Woverines 24-17 last season. Bay travels to Lakewood this Friday.

In other scores from the area: Lakewood 34, John Marshall 13 • Avon 7 (forfeit), Stratford, S.C. 0 • North Ridgeville 34, North Olmsted 21 • North Royalton 21, Westlake 7 • Midview 21, Rocky River 0 • Avon Lake 38, Strongsville 0 • Lutheran West 34, Fairview 0

Bay High’s 100th Anniversary and the 60th Anniversary of the Rockettes Drill Team brought over 100 Band Alums to Friday’s game.