by YOU CAN RE-WATCH THE GAME HERE –
North Ridgeville, Ohio – The North Ridgeville Rangers hosted the North Olmsted Eagles at Ranger Stadium to open their 2025 regular season. The Rangers went on to secure a 41-0 week one win over the Eagles for their home opener.
North Ridgeville started the game with the ball on their own 41-yard line. The Rangers marched down the field on numerous rush attempts from quarterback Cole Miller and running back Zackary Barnhart. North Ridgeville struck first on a Zackary Barnhart 2-yard rushing touchdown to give the Rangers a 7-0 lead with 8:41 remaining in the first quarter. North Olmsted started their first drive on their own 21-yard line. The Eagles’ drive was short-lived after a costly fumble recovered by Ranger defender Brian Strippy set North Ridgeville up on the Eagle 22-yard line. Despite the turnover the Eagles defense stood their ground and forced a turnover on downs to set up shop on their own 17-yard line.
North Olmsted’s second drive was also short-lived after numerous penalties caused an Eagles punt, which was kicked short and out of bounds to set the Rangers up on the North Olmsted 30-yard line. North Ridgeville capitalized on this drive, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown rush from quarterback Cole Miller to give the Rangers a 14-0 lead with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter. The trouble did not stop for North Olmsted as the Eagles muffed the kickoff, the ball recovered by the Rangers to set up the offense on North Olmsted’s 22-yard line. On four quick plays the Rangers were held for a turnover on downs after the Eagles frontline held their ground. North Olmsted got the ball back on their own 15-yard line to end the quarter.
Continuing their drive, the Eagles offense ran the ball on numerous occasions but were ultimately forced to punt again. North Ridgeville started their second quarter drive on North Olmsted’s 36-yard line. A speedy jet sweep rush by receiver Cole Allison resulted in a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Rangers a 21-0 lead with 9:11 remaining in the first half. The Eagle offense started their next drive on their own 21-yard line. North Olmsted had a very lengthy and methodical drive that came from numerous defensive penalties. The Eagles were finally able to make it into Ranger territory, but once across mid-field the offensive steam slowed down, resulting in a turnover on downs.
North Ridgeville started their next drive on their own 35-yard line. The Rangers marched down the field yet again and scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Zackary Barnhart for his second score of the night, resulting in a 28-0 North Ridgeville lead with 3:56 remaining in the second quarter. North Olmsted got the ball back and started on their own 27-yard line. The Eagles offense had some momentum, but luck was not on their side, resulting in another turnover on downs. North Ridgeville set up shop on their own 13-yard line. A few plays later, the Eagles defense swooped in and stole an interception from Cole Miller, forcing their first turnover on the game. The North Olmsted offense ran the remainder of the clock to head to halftime down 28-0.
The Rangers defense came out strong again to start the third quarter, forcing the Eagles to punt on their opening drive of the second half. North Ridgeville started their first possession on their own 31-yard line. The Rangers had a few short receptions to start their drive between Cole Miller and wide receiver Duke Baker. North Ridgeville scored another touchdown, this time through the air from Cole Miller to wide receiver Eric Lengauer for 30-yards to give the Rangers a 35-0 lead with 6:29 left in the third quarter. Both teams’ next possessions resulted in punts to end the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Rangers punted the ball, which was muffed by the North Olmsted and recovered by the North Ridgeville and ran back to the 1-yard line. The very next play resulted in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Luke Bartell, the extra point being no good, giving the Rangers a 41-0 lead with 10:22 remaining in the game. On their next drive, North Olmsted started their drive on their own 44-yard line after a good return. Luck was still not on the Eagles’ side after a long drive into Ranger territory resulted in yet another fumble, giving the ball back to the Rangers on their own 18-yard line. North Ridgeville had a short-lived drive that resulted in a punt, and North Olmsted started their final drive on their own 20-yard line. The Eagles ran the remainder of the clock out, resulting in a 41-0 North Ridgeville victory.
Next Week
The North Olmsted Eagles (0-1) look to rebound from a tough loss as they host the Midview Middies for their home opener at North Olmsted High School Stadium; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, August 29th.
The North Ridgeville Rangers (1-0) are looking to stay hot as they host the Valley Forge Patriots at Ranger Stadium; Kickoff at 7 PM on Friday, August 29th.
Player of the Game:
Zackary Barnhart (RB)- North Ridgeville: 11 rushes, 87 rush yards, 2 rush TD
Top Performers
North Olmsted Eagles
Cody Jak: 7 rush
Amir Silmi: 7 rush
North Ridgeville Rangers
Cole Miller: 7-13, 112 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 rushes, 62 rush yards, 1 rush TD
Zackary Barnhart: 11 rushes, 87 rush yards, 2 rush TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
North Ridgeville 8:41 – Zackary Barnhart, 2 yard run (kick good) (7-0 North Ridgeville)
North Ridgeville 2:40 – Cole Miller, 4 yard run (kick good) (14-0 North Ridgeville)
2nd Quarter
North Ridgeville 9:11 – Cole Allison, 20 yard run (kick good) (21-0 North Ridgeville)
North Ridgeville 3:56 – Zackary Barnhart, 5 yard run (kick good) (28-0 North Ridgeville)
3rd Quarter
North Ridgeville 6:29 – Cole Miller to Eric Lengauer, 30 yards (kick good) (35-0 North Ridgeville)
4th Quarter
North Ridgeville 10:22 – Luke Bartell, 1 yard run (kick no good) (41-0 North Ridgeville)
Re-watch the KEE On Sports Game of the Week here: North Ridgeville vs. North Olmsted
