by The North Ridgeville Rangers came into this game with a bit of an identity crisis after suffering their first loss last week to Avon by blowout fashion. With the Elyria Pioneers on their plate at home, the Rangers proved their still a really good team. The Rangers were led by big performances from juniors Zackary Barnhart and Cole Miller. Their defense also shined bright as they allowed the Pioneers only just over 100 yards of total offense, as the Rangers would win the game 56-7.
Head coach Bryon Morgan had a tough task this week rebounding his squad from the “Avon Hangover” as he called it. He told me “The Avon Hangover is very real, but we had a great practice all week and I preached starting out fast.” And starting out fast is just what the rangers did.
After forcing a turnover on downs on the Pioneers first drive, North Ridgeville senior H back Charlie Steinmetz ran in the game’s first score from 14 yards out. Quickly after the defense forced a 3 and out Ranger Quarterback Cole Miller aired it out deep to a wide open Landen Knepshield for a 52 yard score making the game 14-0 halfway through the first quarter.
The Ranger defense faced some adversity on the next Elyria drive as senior quarterback Steven Gilbert found senior receiver Steeve Mahiher for a 42 yard gain, setting up the Pioneers in the red zone. The Rangers held strong however, forcing a turnover on downs. After gaining possession they drove right down the field and Cole Miller capped the drive off with a 15 yard touchdown giving North Ridgeville a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Rangers continued to control the game throughout the 2nd quarter extending the lead to 49-0 at the end of the first half. The Rangers scores consisted of a 15 yard catch and run from Charlie Steinmetz which ended in a vicious truck, a 16 yard catch from junior Duke Baker, a 3 yard run from junior Zackary Barnhart set up by a 43 yard jet sweep from receiver Ryan Anderson and another short run from Zackary Barnhart after a fumble recovery from junior linebacker Nolan Gill.
The Rangers finished the first half with 351 total yards of offense and held the Pioneers to just 80 yards of offense and no points.
Elyria’s nightmare continued in the second half after forcing their first Ranger punt of the game on the first drive of the half, it was muffed and recovered by North Ridgeville which led to a 30 yard touchdown run from Ryan Anderson, making the game 56-0.
On the ensuing drive Elryia would finally get on the board thanks to a long kick return from Steve Mahier setting the Pioneers up at the 32 yard line. Mahier would finish the drive up with a 5 yard touchdown catch, making the score 56-7.
North Ridgeville would focus on burning clock for most of the second half as the only other highlight would come from a Brain Strippy interception and the game would finish 56-7.
The Rangers look to keep up the strong play as they face their rival Midview at home next week, while Elyria still looks to get into the win column as they take on Avon Lake at home next week.
Players of the Game
North Ridgeville Rangers Junior Quarterback: Cole Miller – 7/14 154 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, 2 rushes for 23 yards and a touchdown
North Ridgeville Rangers Junior Running Back: Zackary Barnhart – 8 rushes 84 yards and 2 touchdowns
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