by A week eight duel saw the 6-1 (3-1) North Ridgeville Rangers and the 1-6 (0-4) Berea-Midpark Titans clash at Tressel Field on Friday Night.
Following a quick yet special senior night presentation, the Rangers wasted no time in their attempt to spoil the party, as QB Cole Miller found Charlie Steinmetz for a 19-yard touchdown just 4 minutes in. The pressure would continue with a three-and-out force and another TD connection between the pair, this time from 23 yards away to double their first-quarter advantage to 14-0. It was a rough opening quarter for the Titans QB Danny Bowser, as he went three and out, turned it over on downs, and threw an interception to North Ridgeville’s Carter Clark.
Carrying the interception to the second quarter, the Rangers would cash the turnover in for points, as running back Zack Barnhart found the end-zone from a yard out. North Ridgeville held a 21-0 advantage with 10 minutes to go in the half. At this point, the Titans needed a spark, and that came from senior running back Justin McDonnell as he ran 71 yards for the opening Berea-Midpark touchdown. A defensive stand from the Titans gave them some momentum before Carter picked Bowser for the second time, and this time, he took it the total 50-yard distance for the North Ridgeville score.
Danny Bowser would begin to execute some good plays on the following drive, finding wide receiver Jeriah Haynes on a 32-yard post route for the TD. The extra point hit the upright and missed, which made the score 28-13 in favor of the visitors. North Ridgeville began to struggle offensively and was forced to punt from deep in its own half. Bowser took advantage of the field position and found Haynes in the end zone for the second time to bring the game back to 8 at halftime.
Berea-Midpark began the second half on offense, or so they were meant to, but Tyson Clay had different plans. He would take the kickoff 99 yards to the house to bring the game 7 points closer at 28-27. 2 possessions of minimal offense and punts gave the ball to North Ridgeville at their own 26. At this moment, Zack Barnhart began to take over, rushing on every five plays and capping off the drive with a 22-yard TD rush with 3:30 left in the third quarter. The Titans responded with a long and diligent drive that ended with a massive third TD pass from Bowser. The ensuing 2-point conversion would be incomplete, and the haunting doink off the upright earlier in the game began to look costly, as the score was now 35-33.
Barnhart remained dominant as he led the way on the game-sealing drive with his third touchdown of week 8. It was too late for the home team at that point, and they suffered a 42-33 loss. North Ridgeville (7-1) (4-1) heads home next week to take on Avon Lake on Friday evening. As for Berea-Midpark (1-7) (0-5), they seek their second win of the season next Friday night at Olmsted Falls.
Players of the Game
North Ridgeville: #36 RB Zak Barnhart: 24 CAR, 152 YDS, 3 TDS
Berea-Midpark: #6 QB Danny Bowser: 24/41, 290 YDS, 3 TDS, 2 INTS
