OBSERVER Staff Report

AKRON — The expectations the Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights had for themselves going into the season hit a snag in their first piece of action, as they fell 28-6 to the Akron Tigers on Friday night.

The game was tight at half time, as Akron entered the intermission up 7-6. Silver Creek had a 6-0 lead late in the second quarter thanks to a 1-yard run by Cole Golembieski, but a late interception thrown by Black Knight quarterback Dom Jamison led to the Akron touchdown.

Jamison’s night only got worse after that, as he was forced to exit the game early in the third quarter thanks to some bad cramping. Jamison, also a starting corner for Silver Creek/Forestville, was the second major injury they faced, as starting safety and wide receiver Sam Bradich went down with an arm injury earlier in the game. The Black Knights chances became grim after that.

“Once you lose two starters on offense and defense, it’s hard to come back from that. The kids we put in did well, and we played good defense, but we put a lot of guys in spots they’ve never played,” Silver Creek/Forestville head coach Sean Helmer said.

Thankfully for the Black Knights, Jamison shouldn’t miss too much time, while Bradich’s future is still undetermined.

Akron’s second quarter touchdown came on a 20-yard pass reception by running back Aidan Smith from quarterback Adam Mietz. The Tigers then exploded for 21 points in the third quarter following Silver Creek’s injuries, featuring two touchdown runs from Smith, one for 10 yards, the other for 49. Sandwiched between those Smith runs was a 7-yard touchdown pass from Mietz to Mitchell Holtz.

Silver Creek/Forestville will be back in action next Saturday night to take on the Class D state champion Clymer/Sherman/Panama Wolfpack at 7 p.m. in Silver Creek.