by A defensive battle from both teams caused an exciting first half that ended 7 to 7. On the game’s opening drive, Logan Dangerfield returned a blocked punt to open the season for North Olmsted. Immediately afterwards North Olmsted forced a fumble on the kickoff to get the ball back deep in Ranger’s territory. North Ridgeville responded by recovering their own fumble from a bad snap. Neither team was able to get any offense going in the air or on the ground.
Both teams took turns trading three and outs until Zach Barnhart led North Ridgeville down to field to score a seven yard touchdown in the middle of the second quarter. Momentum started to shift for the Rangers after Barnhart’s touchdown.
The Rangers defense went out in the second quarter and got consistent pressure on North Olmsted’s offense. North Olmstead was held to less than 100 yards going into the half, with both offenses struggling, both defenses made an impact giving the crowd a defensive first half.
North Ridgeville’s defense continued to shine as they forced an Eagles three and out to begin the third quarter. Charlie Steinmetz had a huge run to get the ball in the red zone for the Rangers, but North Olmsted held steady and stopped them on the one-yard line. On the very next play, Tommy Horsfall threw an interception giving the Rangers the ball in the red zone. Cole Miller keeps the ball for a rushing touchdown to get the first score of the second half. After a big stop in their territory, North Ridgeville drives down the field and Steinmetz scores a long rushing touchdown to end the third.
Momentum continues to stay on the Ranger’s side as Horsfall throws another interception trying to give the Eagles some confidence. North Ridgeville continued to keep their foot on the gas as Steinmetz found the endzone once again. Cole Miller finds Charlie Steinmetz for the go-ahead touchdown that puts an unofficial end to the game.
After a rough first half, the Rangers leaned on running back Charlie Steinmetz as they scored three touchdowns early in the second half. North Ridgeville’s defense proved to be a force to be reckoned with as they stifled North Olmsted’s offense. With an early defensive battle.
the Eagles offensive mishaps were too great to overcome as North Ridgeville capitalized on most of their mistakes. The Ranger’s defense came up huge recovering a fumble and coming down with three interceptions returning one for a touchdown.
North Ridgeville came out of halftime and never let North Olmsted get a rhythm. Even with a great defensive performance from the Rangers, it was Charlie Steinmetz and the offense that blew the game out of the water. After a shaky first half, North Ridgeville was able to compose themselves and put together a great second half to win the game 41-7.
The player of the game was North Ridgeville’s WR/RB/TE Charlie Steinmetz who had an impressive stat line of 5 receptions, 120 receiving yards, receiving yards, and 1 touchdown. On the ground he had 5 rushes, 93 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns.
photo cred: David Chopcinski
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