by North Ridgeville – The Titans improved their record to a 4-4 with a 31-7 victory at North Ridgeville tonight. The Rangers fought hard as always, but dropped to 5-3 on the season. Austin Clay had one of his best games of the season as he tallied 128 receiving yards in the air on 7 catches, and also returned a punt for a 76 yard touchdown. Clay remains one of the top threats in the SWC.
Maddox Swisher started tonight and looked razor sharp. The senior signal finished with 225 yards on 18 of 27 passing with 2 touchdown passes. He also ran 6 times for 14 yards. What truly made Swisher special tonight was that he played both ways, also playing safety and doing a great job.
His main targets to go along with Clay were Brayden Cupach who finished with 4 catches for 39 yards. Devyn Zahursky with 7 yards receiving on one catch, and 7 yards on the ground as well with a touchdown . Chase Stackhouse had 22 yards on three catches. Noah Silva had a nice night with a 63 yard touchdown run, and also 2 catches for 23 yards. Ariel Mendez had 31 yards on the ground and 9 in the air.
Without all state caliber running back Zach Barnhart, North Ridgeville had a running back by committee approach and some quality efforts from Joey Wilson, Charlie Steinmetz, Ta’Vion Swain and Andrew Ennis.
The Rangers attempted a fake punt from near midfield on a fourth down, but it was stopped, allowing the Titans to open up from their own 46-yard line. Swisher went to work landing quick passes to Mendez, Cupach and Clay to put them in striking position. They would then cap off the scoring drive with a 19-yard pass from Swisher to Clay to open up the scoring and make it 6-0 Titans, with 8:22 to play in the opening quarter.
After a three and out forced another punt, it was the Austin Clay show as the best punt returner in the SWC showed everyone why he is so dangerous. Clay took the punt 76 yards to the house to extend the Titans lead to 12-0 with 6:36 to play in the first quarter. The first quarter ended by that same score.
The Rangers failed to gain substantial momentum to move the ball in the second quarter and the Titans took over in great field position again. This time, they moved the ball on the ground to set up the fantastic play action fake passing game. It was Austin Clay yet again cashing in, this time with a 41 yard pitch and catch from Swisher to increase the lead to 19-0 with 4:40 to go in the opening half.
The first half went from bad to worse for North Ridgeville as the Titans partially blocked the punt and took over on the Ranger 37-yard line following the next three and out. Zahursky joined the scoring party a few moments later as he took a direct snap 7 yards to paydirt. The first half ended with the Titans up 25 – 0 . The Berea-Midpark defense was stout, led by Austin LaForce they only allowed 3 first downs in the half, with two of those coming by penalty.
North Ridgeville received a spark to start the second half. After a forcing a three and out on the Titans opening possession, they caused a Titan fumble on their second drive near midfield. This gave the Rangers their best chance at points thus far in the evening. Sadly, they got close, but couldn’t punch it in and turned it back over to the Titans , still scoreless. The third quarter ended with neither team being able to find the endzone, and the Titans remained up 25-0 after three quarters of play.
Noah Silva finished things off midway through the fourth with a 63-yard touchdown run to put it away at 31 – 0 with 5:38 to go in the game. The Rangers avoided the shoutout a minute later on a Steinmetz touchdown run.
Berea-Midpark returns home to host Olmsted Falls in the battle for the Bagley Cup. The Rangers will travel to Avon Lake.
Players of the game
Berea-Midpark QB Maddox Swisher with 225 yards passing and 2 TD’s
Austin Clay with 2 receiving touchdowns on 7 catches for 128 receiving yards along with a 76-yard punt return td.
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