By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

It was a historic night for Rootstown High School senior standout running back Cody Coontz, who set a new school record during the team’s 27-13 victory on the road at Grand Valley.

Coontz rushed for 384 yards on 41 carries and scored all four of the Rovers touchdowns in the game.

The first of which was scored by Coontz in the first quarter to give Rootstown a 7-0 lead on a 35-yard run. Coontz added another score, this one from 2 yards out, in the second quarter to give the Rovers a 14-0 halftime advantage.

Grand Valley scored the only third-quarter touchdown to cut its deficit to one score at 14-7, but Coontz scored twice in the fourth quarter on runs of 16 and 36 yards.

“Overall, our kids overcame the weather and wild discrepancy in penalties (18 for 140 for Rootstown against five for 35 for Grand Valley) to pull out the win,” Rootstown head coach Chris Knopick said. “While we will work on the penalties, we are proud of the mental toughness our kids showed to overcome tough situations and get the win.”

Next up for the Rovers will be a Week 9 matchup at home against Southeast.