by The North Ridgeville Rangers played host to the Toledo Start Spartans for the first game of what they hope will be a long playoff run. This game was a great first step to that goal, as the Rangers dominated the Spartans in all facets of the game for a 42-6 win. The dynamic running back duo of Charlie Steinmetz and Zack Barnhart combined for 192 rushing yards on the night to help lead the Rangers on to the next round. Quarterback Cole Miller added 2 total touchdowns, 109 passing yards, and 45 rushing yards in an all-around effort.
The Rangers set the tone of this game from the beginning. Charlie Steinmetz capped off the Rangers opening drive by going untouched for a 30-yard touchdown run. It was Steinmetz scoring again on their next drive, this time bouncing off multiple defenders for a 21-yard score. Steinmetz led North Ridgeville with 110 rushing yards. Spartans quarterback Preston Edwards was then intercepted by Nolan Gill of the Rangers.
After the interception, Cole Miller found Landen Knepshield deep for a 46-yard gain to set North Ridgeville up at the 2-yard line. Zack Barnhart then found the endzone to make it a 21-0 game. On the Rangers next drive, Miller added a rushing touchdown of his own. The scoring barrage continued when Ta’Vion Swain scored from 2-yards out. North Ridgeville scored touchdowns on their first 5 drives of the game and went into halftime with a 35-0 lead.
The Rangers added on in the 3rd quarter with a long drive that ended with Cole Miller finding Ryan Anderson for a 22-yard touchdown. The Spartans got on the board when Marvon Thompson made a great catch in the endzone to make the score 42-6. Thompson was a bright spot for Start, racking up 9 catches for 117 yards on the night. The Rangers backups would drain the rest of the clock and send them to the second round with a 42-6 victory. Next week the Rangers will host the 10-1 Wadsworth Grizzlies as they look to continue their run.
Player of the Game: Charlie Steinmetz 7 RUSH 110 YARDS 2 TD
