by It was the second week of OHSAA playoffs in region six, the third seed Highland Hornets hosted the six seeded North Ridgeville Rangers. The Hornets came out on top 28-7 over the Rangers in a run heavy game. The Hornets used various backs and receivers to move the ball in the second half that kept the ball away from the Rangers.
The Highland Hornets who dominated one half of the Suburban showed that dominance on their first drive with steady runs from Casey Myser and QB design runs from Peyton Janickas. The Rangers defense has been effective all year, they struggled to adjust to the physicality of the Hornets offensive line. Myser averaged over five yards per carry to lead his team into the endzone for a quick seven to nothing lead.
This was the last of dominant possessions for the Hornets in the first half, the Ridgeville defense played uphill restricting the run game to their half of the field. It was North Ridgeville that scored from 22 yards out on misdirection counter play that saw Andrew Ennis off to the races to tie up the ball game.
The second quarter touchdown from the Rangers was the last of any offense in the first half as both teams struggled to even move the chains. Flags and tough defense prevented either side from moving the ball and getting any rhythm. This resulted in a tied ball game going into the second half.
The Hornets took the second into their own hands and dominated the Rangers in every sense of the game. The running game took off and left the Rangers chasing the to run game and being devastated by the passing attack from Janickas who came alive with a 46 yard pass to Matthew Ciryak.
A 30 yard run from Evan Grant sealed the deal for the Hornets as they held the Rangers to 0 points and limited first downs as the Rangers struggled to find their offensive identity on the ground that got them to this stage. Charlie Steinmetz and Zach Barnhart who are big time playmakers for the Rangers were limited due to the swarming Hornets defense that prevented the duo from achieving any big plays.
