by The OHSAA playoffs started off hot with a North Ridgeville 35 to 14 victory over Valley Forge to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The North Ridgeville Rangers came into this game with a homefield advantage as the sixth seed as the visiting 11th seed, the Valley Forge Patriots looked to deliver an upset to start off the bracket.
The first possession’s for both teams didn’t start as the offenses expected, instead it was the defense that stepped up. Valley Forge started with a three and out while North Ridgeville fumble after a solid drive. The first quarter consisted of one pass and 21 total runs between the two teams.
Valley Forge put together a solid drive getting to the Rangers redzone. Nick Mankins and Ben Farson led the Patriots to the down the field but couldn’t keep the moment after Nate Bober sprinted into the backfield and tracked down Valley Forge QB Dan Kiewel for a seven-yard loss. This is all the Rangers needed to get all the Momentum.
The North Ridgeville run attack led by Zach Barnhart got his squad to the redzone, al it took after that was a little help from the passing attack. Brendan Watchorn showed off his precise passing as he hit Charlie Steinmetz on a rope to give the Rangers their first lead of the day.
Valley Forge attempted to drive down the field for a second straight drive, the Rangers stopped the Patriots and scored while doing it. The Rangers punched the ball out as Brett Lienerth recovered and sprinted his way to the endzone for a defensive touchdown.
The game rolled into the second half as momentum continued in favor of North Ridgeville. Steinmetz got the ball in the backfield and saw nothing but day light for 43 yards and the endzone. The Rangers stacked touchdowns in the third quarter to increase the lead to 28 after Ta’vion Swain rushed for a 19 yard Touchdown.
Valley Forge finally get on the board as Dan Kiewel stacked up touchdown passes to Sincere Duncan and Ben Farson to bring the game within two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Charlie Steinmetz closed the door on the Patriots due to a 16-yard run leaving the Valley Forge defenders in the dust for a touchdown. The Patriots attempted to get back in the game with none of their efforts resulting in a change of fate as North Ridgeville won and advanced 35-14.
