by For week Number six of the abbreviated Northeast Ohio High School football season, The Berea Midpark Titans were hosting the North Ridgeville Rangers at George Finnie Stadium. It was the coldest night of the season so far, just 50 degrees at game time, but there was no threat of rain and very little wind.
It was armed forces night, a tribute to the United States military, sponsored by the Ohio National Guard. The Titans were wearing a special camouflage style uniform which was donated by the National Guard. They were sharp looking uniforms and the Titans seemed inspired by them as they would play their sharpest game of the season.
The contest got off to a slow start as each team had the ball twice with no tangible results. It was a punting contest at the beginning of the game.
Then on the fifth series of the game #6 Junior QB Luke Devins hit fellow Junior WR Cameron Cupach on a deep go route for an 82 yard touchdown, the Titans biggest play of the season. At the 2:57 mark of the first quarter Berea Midpark was up 7-0.
In the early going North Ridgeville was trying to control the game with a ground attack featuring Junior FB # 40 Dominic Farago. Although he had some nice gains, the Titans defense was stingy when it counted lead by Junior DB Julian Vigilante.
The aggressive style and talent of Vigilante shined as he just seems to be everywhere making tackles, and with his coverage skills as well.
With the Rangers running game stalled, they were forced to rely on a passing game that is just not their strength right now. This was evident when Senior QB Caden Masterson’s pass was picked off by Junior DB #1 Devin Johnson.
Now it was the Titans’ turn to show what a strong passing game they have as Devins found Johnson for 22 yards, and 18 yards to Junior RB # 20 Aquan Bell. Bell punched it in from yards out on a sweet run off right tackle. Titans up 13-0 after a missed extra point.
With Titan standout Vigilante making plays all over the field, Masterson and Farago could not get any momentum in the first half. This resulted in a 57 yard TD pass Devins to another Junior, receiver Jack Arnold.
Then on the next possession Ranger QB Masterson hit WR George Allen Jr. on a beautiful 52 yard bomb for a touchdown. The game was now 20-7 midway through the 2nd quarter as that was as close as North Ridgeville would ever get to the Titans.
Berea had big chunks of yardage on passes to WR Junior DeAngelo Borders and the Titans rolled down the field for another TD. This time Devins used his legs on an option play for 9 yards off right tackle.
Devins and # 13 Borders were too much to handle in the next Titan possession, making big passing plays. By the time the first half race was over the Titans were up 41 to 6. The BMP Titans would never look back.
With the Ohio Athletic Commission mercy rule in place, the second half flew by as the clock never stops during drives. The second half featured both teams using many second team players.
The Titans relied on the running skills of Bell in the second half for another touchdown. The route was on and Berea Midpark was having fun on Armed Services night.
In the first half Berea Midpark used a great passing game to put the pressure on the North Ridgeville rangers defense. Devins, Borders, Johnson, and then Bell with his running. Once the defense had been softened up by the Berea Midpark passing game, Bell took over with his legs.
The Berea Midpark skilled players are young, all are juniors and even a Sophomore Devins’ brother RB Hudson Devins scored a TD late in the game. The combination of Devins to Borders really hurt the Ranger defense.
Then late in the second quarter, Johnson made a great interception and had a couple big tackles and hits that really shook up the North Ridgeville offense. There are so many talented Titan Junior players on both sides of the ball. On this night the Berea Midpark faithful got a little glimpse of the future, and it appears to be a bright future indeed for the Titans.
Players of the Game:
Titans: QB Devins
Honorable mention: Borders, Vigilante, Johnson, Bell
Rangers: FB Farago
