PAINESVILLE, Ohio — If the first four weeks of this season tell us anything, 2022 is shaping up to be the year of the Beaver.
The magical ride continued Friday night as Painesville Riverside took down Chardon 21-7 in the WKYC High School Football Game of the Week. The victory not only improved the Beavers' record to 3-1 (and 1-0 in the Western Reserve Conference), but also snapped the Hilltoppers' 31-game winning streak that had dated back to the start of 2020.
The star of this evening was Riverside quarterback Mikey Maloney, who accounted for all three of his team's touchdowns. His first score from 5 yards out gave the Beavers a 7-0 second-quarter lead, although things would get interesting later when he fumbled at the Chardon 2-yard line and set up a 98-yard catch-and-run by Andrew Bruce that tied things up at 7.
However, Maloney would regroup and find Brady McKnight from 23 yards out to put Riverside up 14-7 at halftime. A second scoring pass to star receiver Jake Elly extended the lead to 21-7 in the third, and the Beavers' stifling defense shut down the Hilltoppers (3-1, 0-1) from there. Adam Becker's interception of Alex Henry with 4:19 left to play proved to be the final blow.
Besides Chardon, Riverside also sports wins over perennial contenders Perry and Aurora, with their only blemish being a heartbreaking 7-6 loss at Mentor. Dave Bors and the Beavers will host Lake County rival Madison next week.
Despite the tough loss, Mitch Hewitt's Hilltoppers can still turn their focus to extending their run of two consecutive Division III state championships. They'll head home to play Mayfield next Friday.
More Week 4 scores
Avon (3-1) 42, Avon Lake (3-1) 21: The Eagles bounced back from last week's heart-wrenching loss to Glenville to beat their archrivals for the fifth time in their last six meetings. Sam DeTillio had four total touchdowns to blow open what had been a 21-21 game in the second half.
Solon (3-1) 10, Strongsville (2-2) 0: The Comets earned their third win in a row and second shutout of the season. Brian McQuaide scored the game's only TD with a diving 11-yard catch.
Valley Forge (3-1) 42, Bay (2-2) 14: The Patriots continued their winning ways behind three total touchdowns by QB Dan Kiewel. The defense also forced four turnovers.
Perry (3-1) 43, Chagrin Falls (2-2) 0: The Pirates have won their last two by a combined score of 80-0. Sophomore quarterback Walter Moses led the way, with a particular highlight being a 49-yard touchdown pass to Owen McCoon.