by The North Ridgeville Rangers welcomed the Elyria Pioneers to Ranger Stadium with both teams looking for their first win of the season. It was the Rangers who achieved that goal in dominant fashion with a 42-12 victory.
Mason Allison got the Rangers off to a great start with a massive return all the way into Pioneers territory. Two plays later, Braden Harrison found Cole Allison for a 28-yard touchdown. The Rangers were marching again on their next possession, but Harrison was intercepted by RJ Williams at the Pioneers 2-yard line.
The defense immediately came through for the Rangers by sacking Pioneers QB Zach Fury and forcing a fumble that Logan Laska recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Fury was picked off by Luke Bartell on the following Elyria drive. Matthew Flesher then made it 21-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run.
In the second quarter, the lead grew to 28-0 when Harrison connected with Mason Allison for a 54-yard score. Harrison was 2/3 for 82 yards with 2 touchdowns before getting pulled. Elyria had a chance to finally get on the board after driving all the way to the Rangers 1-yard line, but were stuffed on 4th down.
The North Ridgeville onslaught continued with a 18-yard touchdown run by Riley Finnerty. Finnerty led the Rangers in rushing with 75 yards on the night. Just before halftime, Rangers defensive back Javon Harris intercepted Fury and returned it for another touchdown. North Ridgeville took a 42-0 lead into halftime.
The second half showed some improvement from the Pioneers. They made it 42-6 when Taubo McCray recovered a Rangers fumble and returned it 80-yards for a touchdown. The Rangers fumbled again on their very next offensive snap. This time it was Kemarion Thomas with the recovery for Elyria.
After a 25-yard completion to Zaedin Fenderson, Zach Fury called his own number and ran it in for a 3-yard score. That cut the deficit to 42-12. The Rangers spent the rest of the fourth quarter content with running the clock out.
The Rangers (1-4) will look to get their second consecutive win next week at home against the Midview Middies. The Pioneers (0-5) are going to host the Avon Lake Shoremen as they continue to search for their first victory.
North Ridgeville Player of the Game:
RB Riley Finnerty: 10 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
Elyria Player of the Game:
WR Zaedin Fenderson: 7 catches, 47 yards
