by The North Royalton Bears welcomed the North Ridgeville Rangers to Gibson Field at Serpentini Stadium for their 2025 home opener. The Rangers entered this game looking for a perfect 3-0 start to the season. Behind a great defensive and 131 rushing yards from Zack Barnhart, the Rangers grinded out a 16-6 victory.
After both offenses were quiet early, a pass interference call on 4th down kept a long North Ridgeville drive alive. Zack Barnhart then ran it in from 4-yards out to put the Rangers up 7-0. The Rangers got the ball right back after a fumbled handoff by Bears QB Nolan Klingbeil.
Despite good field position after the fumble, the Rangers were unable to add to their lead. A holding call and a third-down sack from Bears linebacker Ben Dottavio forced a punt.
North Royalton running back Cameron Saul broke free for a 60-yard run just before halftime, but that was wiped out by a holding call. Costly penalties were a theme for the Bears all night long. The Rangers took a 7-0 lead into the half.
Rangers QB Cole Miller was picked off by Tyler Rowles on the opening drive of the second half. The Bears could not capitalize off the turnover. They were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal try by Kingston Luong, which was no-good.
Barnhart then delivered the games biggest play for the Rangers. He sprinted down the sidelines for a 81-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 13-0 game. The extra point was blocked by Dillon McCostlin of the Bears.
It looked like North Royalton was going to respond after Nick Piazza took the ensuing kickoff past midfield. However, another holding call brought it all the way back. North Ridgeville extended their lead to 16-0 on a 24-yard field goal by Finley Keller.
Rangers linebacker Ryan Anderson began the 4th quarter by intercepting Nolan Klingbeil. Klingbeil started to get things going late in the quarter. He connected with Piazza on a 45-yard long ball to get deep into Rangers territory.
The Bears finally got on the board when Klingbeil found Gurmehar Kandola for a 15-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was stopped to keep the score 16-6. The Bears comeback attempt was over after their onside kick attempt was unsuccessful.
North Ridgeville Player of the Game:
RB Zack Barnhart 22 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs
North Royalton Player of the Game:
WR/CB Nick Piazza 6 catches, 70 yards
