Butler 16, Rocky River 14

Butler, out of time outs with 80 seconds remaining, drove nearly 60 yards and set up an Adrian Salazar field goal that lifted the Bulldogs past stunned host Rocky River 16-14 Friday night.

Salazar, who had hit the left upright earlier in the fourth quarter on a 47-yard field goal try, connected from 25 yards with 2 seconds remaining for the decisive points.

Rocky River had taken a 14-13 lead midway in the third quarter on a 6-yard run by quarterback Tyshawn Carter and Jonathon Pfeiffer’s conversion kick. It looked as if that lead might hold, when the Ravens forced Butler to use all of its timeouts on a Rocky River possession in the closing minutes.

But the Bulldogs took over on their 34 after a Rocky River punt with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining. Quarterback Davis Cheek, who had three potential touchdown passes dropped by receivers earlier in the game and was hobbled by a toe injury, completed four passes and had a key first-down run in Butler’s closing drive.

The Bulldogs’ Chrisean Davis-Pinckney ran 11 yards to the Rocky River 8 with 7 seconds left, and Davis quickly spiked the ball, setting up Salazar’s winning kick.

Salazar also kicked field goals of 38 and 28 yards in the first half.

Quote: “Davis (Cheek) made several big plays down near the end. He really came up big. And Salazar has a strong leg. We’re confident when he kicks.” – Butler coach Brian Hales.

Records: Butler 7-2, 3-1 Southwestern 4A; Rocky River 3-6, 2-2 Southwestern 4A).

Worth mentioning: Rocky River quarterback Tyshawn Carter had an excellent second half, accounting for 108 of his team’s 143 total yards after intermission. … Butler is making a habit of dramatic victories. The Bulldogs stopped a potential game-tying Myers Park drive last week with an interception in the closing minute. … Hales said Salazar kicked two 54-yard field goals during practice this week. “We weren’t afraid to let him kick from 47,” Hales said.

What's Next: Butler is home next Friday to Porter Ridge; Rocky River is off next week and plays Oct. 30 at home against Independence.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 11:21 PM with the headline "Butler 16, Rocky River 14."