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NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OH- After a brutal loss at home last week, Avon Lake came out for vengeance on the road. Faced with adversity losing star running back Wade Nelson in the first quarter, the Shoremen responded in a big way.
On the first play from scrimmage, Nelson opened the game up in a big way. The running back went for 37 yards, which was capped off by a Jason Krukowski 1-yard touchdown run.
Exactly 2 minutes into the game, the score was 7-0 Shoremen.
As the North Ridgeville offense headed onto the field, the ALHS defense was quick to make plays. Led by Avery Viancourt and Carter Sergent, the line was making big plays all night. A quick 3 and out to start the game for the Rangers gave Avon Lake the ball back.
After retaining great field positioning, the Shoremen made no hesitations getting back into the endzone. With 6:13 remaining in the first quarter, wide receiver Luke Stuewe lined up in the wild cat. His 13-yard TD run made the game 14-0 Shoremen.
As Avon Lake made another stop on defense, this time it was the North Ridgeville special teams making a play.
The Rangers punt sent Hayden Blosser hustling back to receive the boot. As Blosser took off, a perfectly placed strip was put on him, and sophomore Austin DeShazo was quick to jump on the ball.
Setting up on the ALHS 18, the Ranger offense was back in business. With that being said, the Avon Lake defense would not budge. After recovering the punt, DeShazo finished the drive nailing a 33-yard field goal to make the game 14-3.
To open up ALHS’s third drive, Nelson would have another big run. His 43-yard run set up the Shoremen perfectly closing the first quarter, and unfortunately his night. After a rough injury on the following 9-yard carry, Nelson’s night ended. Through the one quarter Nelson had 93 yards on 5 touches.
As the second quarter started, senior Jason Krukowski picked up where Nelson left off. 13 seconds into the second quarter his untouched 43-yard touchdown run made the game 21-3.
Seemingly right after the Shoremen kicked off, Avery Viancourt’s big night continued. With 11 minutes left in the half, the defensive end had a big strip sack which the Shoremen recovered at the opposing 6.
Although the tremendous field position, the Ranger defense was a brick wall. North Ridgeville forced an Ian Walsh kick, which would then make the game 24-3.
Later in the quarter, the Shoremen defense again forced a stop. Led behind sophomore running back Anthony Benedict, the Shoremen offense was set up at the 1-yard line. Listed as a defensive tackle, senior Konner Nilson barreled into the endzone making the contest 31-3.
Right after the kickoff, again the Shoremen defense did not hold back. After a 12 second 3 and out, Avery Viancourt continued to cause nightmares. Untouched on the punt, he barged into the backfield causing a 3-yard punt.
Later, senior QB Jeremy Dzik did his best Houdini impression escaping the pocket and hitting Luke Stuewe on the run for a 17-yard TD. Going into half, the Shoremen led 38-3.
As the second half started, nothing changed.
On the first drive of the half, Viancourt again went untouched into the backfield. As he hit Ranger QB Braden Watchorn, the quarterback pitched the ball, but nobody was around. Looking to make something and keep the drive alive, the Shoremen recovered at the 25. Later, an eventual Ian Walsh kick made the game 41-3.
The Rangers showed fight as the game went on, though. With 9:47 left in the game, Watchorn hit his main target Charlie Steinmetz for a 52-yard touchdown.
North Ridgeville was not done either. After the Ranger defense forced a fumble, the offense marched down the field. Junior Nate Bober took a 9-yard carry into the endzone with 2:04 remaining.
As time ticked away, the Shoremen came away with a 41-17 win.
Tonight’s player of the game was Avery Viancourt. The DE was seemingly in on every tackle, and also was the cause of multiple turnovers. With that being said, shoutout Jason Krukowski and Luke Stuewe for their 2 touchdown nights, as well.
