North Olmsted Captures 2nd Straight Win With 42-20 Victory Over Lakewood

Written by Austin Fischer

For the second consecutive week the Lakewood Rangers (3-2) (0-1) played as the visiting team for a homecoming celebration on Friday night. Likewise, Lakewood got out to a hot start for the second week in a row, as they marched their opening drive down the field to take a 7-0 lead on a short pass from QB Avery Holt to WR Ty Taylor.

The momentum carried over to the defensive end too when North Olmsted Eagles QB Tommy Horsfall threw 4 consecutive incompletions in enemy territory to result in a turnover on downs. Everything was looking good for the Rangers until the effects of Hurricane Helene began to take over late in the opening quarter forcing a Lakewood punt, and a quick

Tommy Horsfall rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 3 to go in the opening quarter. QB Avery Holt was able to grip the ball enough for another beautifully orchestrated touchdown drive that seeped into the second quarter and saw Lakewood lead 13-7 after a missed PAT. As the rain began to fall, this played right into the hands of North Olmsted’s offense, as running backs Matthew Chalkwater and Michael Passafiume combined for 74 yards on the following drive that capped off with a double reverse touchdown run of 56 from Passafiume putting the Eagles up 14-13 3 minutes into the second quarter. Slowly and diligently Lakewood began to march down the field, but were stopped at the goal line with an interception by Lawrence Stanley.

Consequently, North Olmsted would ride the wave of momentum 82 yards in 11 plays capped off by a Matthew Chalkwater TD to put the Eagles up 8 at the halftime break. More of Mother Nature’s pouring rained on the parade of the Lakewood pass attack, but continued to show rainbows of opportunity for the North Olmsted Eagles, as QB Tommy Horsfall lead capped off a 9 play drive of pure smash mouth football with a 1 yard QB sneak to extend the Eagles lead to 15 midway through the third. Lakewood would never seem to gain their footing in the harsh conditions, and because of that they were forced to punt after a backwards and penalty-filled drive.

At this point in the game, Matthew Chalkwater had already played admirably, but his third gear would kick in during the third quarter, as he opened the drive with a 47 yard burst just plays before his 5 yard rush would break the plane for the fifth North Olmsted touchdown of the night. Lakewood became desperate as the fourth quarter arrived, and QB Avery Holt would throw his second interception of the evening on a deflected pass. The Eagles would soar down the field one final drive, with backup running back Naim Mahmoud punching it in from 3 yards out.

Lakewood would find the endzone one more time on the evening on a 67 yard pass from Holt to RB Braedon Greenfield, but it was too little too late for the Rangers. North Olmsted claimed victory on homecoming night with a 42-20 home stand for their first victory on their turf this season, and their second overall.

Players of the game:
Lakewood: #1 QB Avery Holt: 14/23 221 pass yds 3TD 2INT; 8 carries 35 rush yds; 1 reception 15 rec yds

North Olmsted: #24 Matthew Chalkwater: 23 carries 188 rush yds 8.2 ypc 2TD; 1 reception 10 rec yds