by The North Ridgeville Rangers welcomed the Amherst Comets to Ranger Stadium for their regular season finale. The Rangers used a great performance from their running game and defense to beat the Comets 36-0. The Rangers used a three-headed rushing attack with Joey Wilson, Ta’Vion Swain, and Charlie Steinmetz each getting 10 plus carries.
Both teams defenses came out making huge plays in the first quarter. The Rangers offense looked primed to score on their opening drive, until the Comets forced a fumble on Rangers running back Andrew Ennis. The ball was recovered by Joey Brooks and gave the Comets possession at their own 20 yard line. On the very next play, the ball was snapped over Amherst quarterback Cole Norris’s head. As soon as he could pick up the ball, he was sacked and the Rangers defense stripped the ball out of his hands. This set North Ridgeville up with 1st and goal from the 4 yard line. It only took one play for the Rangers to score, as Swain ran for a 4-yard touchdown to put North Ridgeville up 7-0.
Amherst’s next drive looked promising until Norris was intercepted by Rangers defensive back Carter Clark. North Ridgeville once again capitalized on the turnover, extending their lead to 14-0 on a 22-yard touchdown run by Steinmetz. Tristyn Young would make a huge play for the Comets when he made a 35 yard catch down the right sideline. This play put the Comets down to the Rangers 28 yard line, but they would be unable to turn it into any points after their field goal attempt missed wide left. With time winding down before halftime Steinmetz would add another rushing touchdown, this time from the 1 yard line on 4th and goal. The Rangers carried a 21-0 lead into halftime.
Ennis would take the second half opening kickoff all the way into Comets territory. However, the Rangers were unable to capitalize on the good field position and turned the ball over on downs. The North Ridgeville defense would then get the ball back when they forced another Amherst turnover. A big hit on Nick Costello led to a fumble that was recovered by Brett Lienerth of the Rangers. The Rangers would add 3 more points off the turnover on an Austin DeShazo field goal. On the next Comets drive Norris would be intercepted by Lienerth, who would return the ball all the way inside the 10 yard line. It was the fourth turnover of the game forced by the Rangers defense.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Swain would score on a 1 yard run to put the Rangers up 30-0. During the Rangers next drive senior running back Joey Wilson would break free for the games longest play, a 37 yard run. Wilson would score another Rangers touchdown on the next play. The North Ridgeville Rangers would win by a final score of 36-0. The Rangers had dominant rushing attack all night long, running for 201 yards in the game.
Player of the Game: Charlie Steinmetz 10 CAR 54 YDS 2 TD 3 REC 30 YDS
