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North Olmsted – The Rangers came into North Olmsted and used a solid run game to upset the Eagles by a score of 34-21 tonight. Running backs Evan Monter, Andrew Ennis and Zach Barnhart combined for 249 yards on 44 carries. All of that mixed in with a Connor Costin 35-yard touchdown catch from the arm of Brendan Watchorn was more than enough for the victory.
The Eagles offense simply couldn’t get on the field in the second half, and they paid the price. They did however finish the first half very strong, as senior quarterback Xavier Balson threw three touchdowns during that stretch. He finished the game with 208 yards on 8 of 22 passing with 2 sacks and an interception.
His main target was Jared Kelley with 5 catches for 121 yards, all coming in the first half, two of which were for touchdowns. Dominic Costello had one catch for a 51 yards touchdown. The best Eagle rusher was Logan Dangerfield with 41 yards on 4 carries.
The Eagles converted twice on third and long to open the game with a 9 play, 65-yard scoring drive. They struck paydirt when Balson hit Jared Kelley with a 25-yard touchdown toss. Kelley caught the ball about 7 yards out and then dashed for the endzone. Kelley broke a tackle and then dove head first into the endzone, taking a massive hit and still scoring. It was a tremendous play by Kelley.
The Rangers used a steady diet of Barnhart to march down the field as the first quarter closed out. They attempted to go for it on fourth and short from the 9, but the Eagles jumped offside and it allowed them to get a first down and approach a first and goal from the 4. A few plays later it was Barnhart punching it in from 3 yards out to cut the lead to 7-6 as the extra point was shanked.
The Rangers stayed hot the next time they had the ball. Again, a steady diet of running the ball helped them move down the field. It was then, from 35 yards out, that Watchorn dumped it off to Connor Costin who sped down the sidelines avoiding tackles on his way to the endzone. This time the kick was true, and it was 13-7 Rangers with 7:50 to play.
After another three and out, and a short punt, the Rangers got it back again, this time in Eagle territory at the North Olmsted 31-yard line. The Eagles would force the Rangers to face a fourth and one. The Eagles managed to get the stop.
As the half was winding down, the Eagles soared with a beautiful two-minute drive that resulted in a 43-yard launch over the middle from Balson to Kelley to score. It was Kelley’s third catch of the drive, and resulted in a 14-13 lead for the Eagles.
In stunning fashion, the Eagles would score again in the closing seconds of the half on a Hail Mary that bounced off an Eagle helmet and into the waiting arms of Dominic Costello from 51 yards out. The kick is sound, and the Eagles took a 21-13 lead into the break.
Midway through the third quarter, the Rangers found the scoreboard again. This time it was Monter sliding through the line to sprint for a 37-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, and the score remained 21-19 with 3:20 to play in the quarter. The quarter would close by that same score as the Rangers would begin driving again.
The Rangers faced a fourth and two from the 21-yard line with 8:30 to play. A Monter dive play got them the yardage needed to continue. Seconds later, a 12-yard pass to Steinmetz placed the Rangers inside the 6-yard line for a first and goal. Brendan Watchorn snuck it in to put them ahead, and then Ennis converted a two-point conversion to put the Rangers ahead 27-21 with 7:23 to go.
The Rangers rush game would strike again to put the game out of reach. This time it was Barnhart scoring from 3 yards out to make it 34-21 with 4:15 to play. The Eagles defense simply was on the field far too long, and the Rangers wore them down.
Ranger QB Watchorn finished with 152 yards on 10 of 21 passing.
Ranger WR Charlie Steinmetz had 6 catches for 85 yards.
The Rangers will look to stay hot as they travel to Valley Forge Thursday night, while the Eagles will look to bounce back as they travel to Green on Friday night.
Players of the game
North Ridgeville RB Zach Barnhart with 109 yards on 28 carries and 2 TD’s
North Olmsted WR Jared Kelley with 5 catches for 121 yards and 2 TD’s.
