Lake County Sentinel
Brandehoff Leads Riverside to 34-13 Victory Over Euclid as Beavers Eye GCC Crown
BY KEN KRIZNER
STAFF
(PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, OH) - Painesville Riverside quarterback Bo Brandehoff certainly had big shoes to fill when he took over the starting job his sophomore season. Head Coach Jeremy Ishmael called it an “unenviable task.”
Following in the footsteps of Mikey Maloney, one of the best ever to play the position in Northeast Ohio (and the current Mount Union starting quarterback), Brandehoff has grown in experience during the past three years and especially this season, Ishmael said.
And Friday, as Riverside honored its football senior class before the final home game of the regular season at Riverside Stadium, Brandehoff put all of that experience to good use, running the Beavers offense with efficiency as they defeated Euclid, 34-13, in a Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) matchup. He threw for one touchdown and rushed for two more.
“We took advantage of the opportunities we had on offense,” Ishmael said. “I thought we did a good job managing the wind and the weather.”
Combined with a stellar defensive performance that totally neutralized the Panthers’ high-powered offensive attack, which includes wide receiver and Penn State recruit Kei’Shjuan Telfair, the Beavers (6-3, 5-1 in the GCC) kept alive their quest to claim at least a share of the conference championship in their first year in the league.
Riverside has already secured a playoff berth in Division II, Region 5. The Beavers came into Week Nine ranked No. 8, and the win against Euclid kept their hopes alive to host a first-round playoff game.
Also not to be overlooked is the work of Riverside’s special teams. Although they did give up a 95-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the first quarter, they also constantly put pressure up the middle on Euclid punter Dion Russell, forcing short punts and giving the Beavers excellent field position.
That first short punt occurred following Euclid’s first possession. The punt only traveled 13 yards and set up Riverside at the Euclid 31 yard line. Consecutive runs for 18 yards by junior Jaxon Moore got the ball to the 13 yard line, leading to the first touchdown of the night, a 13-yard run by junior Dominic Bottiggi. Bottiggi, who scored five touchdowns last week including three in the fourth quarter as Riverside rallied to defeat Brunswick, twisted and turned around multiple Euclid defenders to get into the endzone.
It was on the ensuing kickoff that Euclid senior Sincere Hamilton went 95 yards for a touchdown. Hamilton took the ball right up the middle, eluded a couple of Riverside players, then turned on the jets and raced to the end zone to tie the score at 7.
However, this was Euclid’s only big play of the first half, as the Panthers offense found it hard to run against the Beavers’ defense. And when sophomore quarterback Rasheed Tutt dropped back to pass, he often found his receivers well covered. Telfair, who can go up and outmuscle the ball from many defenders, was shutout during the game.
“We knew Euclid had a couple of players who could hurt us,” Ishmael said. “They were a focal point for us this week. Our defense did the job.”
Riverside came right back after the kickoff return. Brandehoff capped off a 79-yard drive by diving into the endzone from 1 yard out. Brandehoff connected with senior David Seibert on a 42-yard pass and Bottiggi ran for 27 yards to key the drive.
Again, Euclid could not move the ball on offense thanks to the aggressive Riverside defense and again a short punt gave the Beavers the ball at midfield. Moore got the ball down inside the 20 yard line. But the Panthers’ defense made a stand and tackled Moore for a 10 yard loss. After an incomplete pass on third down, sophomore Weston Bailey connected on a 28-yard field goal to give Riverside a 10-point lead.
On the Beavers’ next possession, Brandehoff passed for 25 yards and Bottiggi took off for another 21 yards on the ground. Brandehoff capped off the drive by going 13 yards up the middle for the touchdown. His touchdown was part of a pattern on the night, as Riverside’s offense was successful in convincing the Euclid defense that its run plays were going to the outside, only to run right up the middle for big chunks of yards.
With time running down in the first half, Euclid’s attempt to make a big play from deep in its own territory backfired when Tutt overthrew his intended receiver and was intercepted by Bottiggi. That set up Brandehoff’s 8-yard pass to Seibert, who tiptoed on the sidelines and managed to keep one foot inbounds for the touchdown and a 31-7 halftime lead.
Brandehoff said he missed some throws he should have connected on during the game. But he was quick to point out that the offensive line and running backs all played well against the Panthers, and his receivers did a great job picking up yards after the catch.
“My teammates help make us a great offense,” Brandehoff said.
After Euclid received the second-half kickoff but could not do anything with the ball, Riverside took over at its 38 yard line. The Beavers mixed passes and runs to get the ball to the Panthers’ 19 yard line. For the second time, Bailey was called on for a field goal, which he hit from 36 yards.
During the fourth quarter, the Panthers’ offense finally managed to get on the board when sophomore Cameron Elston went around the end for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Euclid (4-5, 3-3 in the GCC) will conclude its regular season at home next week against Mentor. The Panthers came into this week’s action ranked No. 11 in Division I, Region 1 and are hoping to clinch a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Riverside travels to Lorain to finish the regular season as it continues to fight with Mentor and Strongsville for the GCC championship.
Brandehoff praised his team’s intensity against Euclid. He also stressed the Beavers must play with that same intensity against Lorain and when the playoffs begin in two weeks.
On his final regular season home game, Brandehoff said it has been “my dream” to be the Riverside quarterback.
“I love this sport, and I love this team,” he said. “I’m going to be sorry to leave this team because it has been a great experience.”
Ishmael said he wants to see his team handle its business next week to ensure the Beavers come away with at least a share of the GCC title, as well as to gain momentum heading into the playoffs.
“We just need to continue to improve,” Ishmael pointed out.
POSTED 10/17/2026 01:19
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Riverside Bailey Weston breaks free during the beavers 34-13 win over Euclid. Photos by Ken Krizner
