by Lyndhurst, Ohio – The Brush Arcs got a late stop to defeat the North Ridgeville Rangers, 21-14, picking up their first win of the season.
Both teams entered Friday’s game looking to bounce back from Week 1 losses.
The Arcs drove down to the four-yard line, looking to take an early lead. But the Ridgeville defense stiffened up, with a pair of tackles for loss, and a fourth-down pass breakup.
Braden Harrison connected with Cole Allison for an 87 yard touchdown pass one play later to give the Rangers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Cam Williams recovered a fumble for the Arcs defense following a stop on downs.
However, the North Ridgeville defense turned Brush away once more, maintaining a 7-0 lead late in the first half.
Brush’s defense kept them in Friday night’s game, and came up with a huge play on special teams.
A bad snap on a punt attempt led to a fumble, which was then recovered by senior Carlton Avant for a scoop and score.
The ensuing point after knotted things at 7 at the half.
Brush would march down the field, capping off their third-quarter opening drive with an Isaiah McClain to Philip Alexander touchdown, taking a brief 14-7 lead at the 9:05 mark of the third quarter.
However, Cole Allison, who had the game’s opening touchdown in the first quarter, had other plans. He took the ensuing kickoff 64 yards to the house, and after the point after, the score was knotted at 14.
Brush drove to the red zone on their ensuing drive, but came up empty handed. North Ridgeville moved down the field methodically, with Matthew Flesher and Cole Allison getting the bulk of the touches. They got to the red zone early in the fourth quarter, but had to settle for a field goal.
The Arcs would come up with a block on the go-ahead attempt, taking over on their 25 yard line. From there, the offense got to work, as Isaiah McClain connected with Amir Shields and Louis Cunningham to move down the field. One play later, sophomore Lawrence Moore rumbled for a 13 yard touchdown run to give Brush a 21-14 lead with 2:45 left.
The Rangers would move down the field thanks in part to a pass interference penalty and a pair of big catches by Cole Allison. They got down to the Arc 10 yard line, looking to tie or potentially win the game. However, the Brush defense came up with a pair of huge deflections in the end zone, the last one clinching their first victory of the season.
Brush, now 1-1, travels to Willoughby South next Friday, September 4th.
North Ridgeville, now 0-2, concludes non-conference play hosting North Royalton next Friday, September 4th.
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