by Barberton, OH- The defending Division 5 champion South Range defeated Clearview 48-21 propelled by their rushing attack along with a streak of 41 unanswered points.
To begin the game, South Range struggled on offense as Clearview forced the Raiders to punt following one first down. Clearview had a similar start, but they didn’t manage a first down and went 3-and-out. South Range started their next drive off on the right foot as Tristan Toy found Heath Crouse for a 20-yard completion. However, a big-time interception by Clearview’s Ayden Cruz negated the Raiders’ efforts. With 31 yards in front of them, Clearview was able to take advantage of the pick as Cy Christensen found Malcom Lane for a 7-yard touchdown. A blocked PAT made the score 6-0 in favor of the Clippers. The Raiders’ offensive struggles continued as a promising drive stalled out.
The Clippers began their third drive of the half with a 4th down and 1 that was fumbled forward. However, Clearview would have luck on their side as Jordan Stowers fell on the ball to get the first down. South Range would not have the 4th down conversion come back to haunt them as the Raider defense picked up a crucial stop. That play was somewhat of a turning point in the first half as Conner Kane got open for a 21-yard reception. This set up a 9-yard rushing score from Aidan Dominguez to give South Range a 7-6 lead.
The Clippers answered back as Christensen connected with Ethan Lorenzana for a 38-yard touchdown, restoring a 13-7 Clipper lead. South Range had the last word of the half with a 2nd touchdown from Dominguez to give them a 14-13 lead. However, that would not have been possible without an acrobatic dive from Toy on the Clearview sideline to turn 4th down and medium into a first down. The Clippers had one last shot in the first half, but a Gus Valentine sack swiftly took the wind out of Clearview’s sails to keep it a 14-13 game going into the locker room.
Clearview began the 2nd half with possession, but it was South Range’s defense making a splash as they forced a 3-and-out. A return to the Clearview 18 by Brady Crumbacher set Blake Ewert up for 2 carries: the first for 17 yards and the other for 1. The second carry got the Raiders into the endzone to extend their lead 21-13. The stingy Raider defense struck again as Clearview was forced to punt once again near midfield. South Range drove down the field with ease, but on Ewert’s 19th carry, he went down with an apparent ankle injury. However, Dominguez picked up his teammate as he scored his 3rd rushing touchdown of the night to make it 28-13 in favor of South Range. Clearview started to gain momentum again, but Luke Starkey snatched the ball out of the air to give possession back to the Raiders. Crumbacher caught a 14-yard pass from Toy for another touchdown to make it 35-13 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
To begin the final quarter, Crumbacher snags another Raider interception to set up a 61-yard rushing score from Toy to make it 41-13 following a failed 2-pont conversion. After another Clipper punt, Dylan Smesko takes the ball 29 yards on the ground to further extend the Raider lead 48-13. Clearview battled however as Lorenzana punched the ball in from 4 yards out. With a successful 2-point conversion, the score was 48-21 in favor of the Raiders. After a few kneel downs, the Raiders advanced to the Elite 8 where they will take on Perry next Friday night.
Clearview Key Players:
#3 Ethan Lorenzana: 12 Carries, 71 yards, 1 Touchdown, 6 Receptions, 98 yards
#7 Cy Christensen: 19/35, 144 yards, 1 Touchdown, 3 Int’s
#11 Malcom Lane: 6 Receptions, 64 Yards, 1 Touchdown
South Range Key Players:
#12 Tristan Toy: 7/10, 96 yards, 1 Touchdown, 2 Int’s, 13 Carries, 115 yards, 1 Touchdown
#26 Blake Ewert: 19 Carries, 92 Yards, 1 Touchdown
#34 Aidan Dominguez: 9 Carries, 40 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 1 Int
Player of the Game: Tristan Toy
