North Ridgeville 35, Lakewood 21

[Michael Deneen]

Lakewood fell 35-21 to North Ridgeville tonight in the final road game of its 2015 football season. Senior Noah Lopez caught a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter for Lakewood, but it was not enough to overcome a large North Ridgeville lead. North Ridgeville's win in "the Battle of the Rangers" lifts them lifts them to 7-2 on the season and keeps their playoff hopes alive.

The game was played on a clear autumn night, and was without the biggest star on North Ridgeville's roster. Ohio State recruit Demarius McCall missed the game with an injury, but junior running back Cameron Bright was outstanding in his place. Bright ran for the first three touchdowns of the game, helping North Ridgeville build a sizeable lead. His first TD came on a 65 yard run midway through the first quarter. Ridgeville had a 7-0 lead, and blocked the Lakewood punt on the next possession. However, Lakewood put up a nice goal line stand on a "first and goal" series from the Lakewood four yard line. They contained Bright on back-to-back running plays, thanks to a good push from the defensive front. An incomplete pass followed on third down. North Ridgeville settled for a field goal attempt, and the kick was missed. The Rangers were unable to mount consistent offense through most of the first half, and Bright scored again midway through the second quarter on a one-yard TD run. After the ensuing "three and out" from the Lakewood offense, Bright scored his third TD with 4:36 left to go in the first half.

Trailing 21-0, Lakewood put together its best offensive drive of the first half. They went 67 yards on ten plays to score a touchdown with just over one minute left in the second quarter. The drive started with a strong 13 yard run by Kevin Musai (who is usually known for his defensive work), and was capped by a 21 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Witri to wide receiver Michael Goolsby. Goolsby also took some snaps during the drive, and completed an eight yard pass running back Basho Kwaham.

North Ridgeville scored on its first possession of the third quarter, a heart breaking 35 yard touchdown pass on a fourth and seven play. The scored stayed at 28-7 until midway through the fourth quarter. Lakewood's defense was helped by an interception by Adam Giffels early in the fourth quarter. On its next possession, however, North Ridgeville stretched the lead to 35-7.

The Ranger offense found its groove late in the game, with two touchdown drives in the final five minutes. The first was a 22 year touchdown pass from Witri to Lopez with 3:11 left on the clock. After holding North Ridgeville on downs, the offense had one more crack at the endzone. Lopez caught his second TD pass with 1:27 left on the clock, making the final score 35-21.

Lakewood finishes its season next Friday at home against Amherst Steele. Both teams enter the game at 0-9, and will be looking for a happy ending to their season. It will be Senior Day for Lakewood, as senior players, cheerleaders, and band members will be recognized before the game.

[Bridget Conant]

Oh I heard it was North Ridgeville +1 and Lakewood -1.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/ ... r-in-north

[Matthew Lee]

Oh I heard it was North Ridgeville +1 and Lakewood -1.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/ ... r-in-north

Does everything have to be about the hospital? There are many things going on in our town that don't have to be connected to the hospital in any way, shape or form.

Michael, thank you for the write-up. I know we can disagree on things now and then but I really appreciate your write-ups. I travel a lot for work and like to feel connected to what is going on in Lakewood even if I am not there. Thank you.

[michael gill]

Yeah, props to Mike Deneen for these accounts. I especially appreciate the tone, and the quiet respect you give the opposing teams.

[Amy Martin]

Lakewood needs to fire it's football coach and get someone in here who can rally the talent in this community to produce a football team we all can be proud of. I can't believe that in a city this size, that our football team sucks as bad as it does. Absolutely awful.

[Alex Belisle]

As a new resident of Lakewood and a former NYC HS basketball coach, I can say one thing about our athletes that should make all Lakewoodites proud - they are the most resilient, hard working and positive group of young men I've seen in my career as a teacher, coach and professional sports photographer (NIKE Basketball). Where others would complain, get at each other, give up and have bad attitudes, these young men have stood tall despite their losses and many injuries.

Lakewood should be proud of them and their coaches.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... e-football

[Gary Rice]

Alex,

You are so right. Thank you for that post, Coach Belisle.

Win or lose, a good high school coach teaches a team how to live with whatever circumstances that might come along.

It is so easy for the public to forget that, particularly in the schools, a coach is also a teacher.

Whether our team wins or loses a game, Lakewood's players are winners in the game of life.

Back to the banjo...

[Amy Martin]

Lakewood Rangers - Proud to be Losers!!!

I've lived in Lakewood for 23 years. They have stunk for the majority of that time. Our kids have talent, the coaches are to blame. How much more can these poor kids take?

[Bridget Conant]

The kids learn skills whether they win or lose. I personally don't place much value in having a "winning team," but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[Alex Belisle]

Lakewood Rangers - Proud to be Losers!!!

I've lived in Lakewood for 23 years. They have stunk for the majority of that time. Our kids have talent, the coaches are to blame. How much more can these poor kids take?

I've only lived here for 10 months but being actively involved with the football team, I've noticed 2 things: 1) St. Edward might be siphoning off some of our best talent? 2) I'm reminded of the Enron scandal where "winners" (graduates of elite Ivy schools ) displayed their lack of morality and civility when ruining the lives of 100's of their employees. The students I've interacted with are fine young people we should be proud of.

I'd rather see decent human beings than winning athletes, scholars first and foremost, young men and women with high moral standards and principles.

[Amy Martin]

I was just WAITING for St. Ed's to come up . . . .

They have talent from every school district in area. To blame Lakewood's Football woes on St. Ed's is an argument that just doesn't hold water. Makes you wonder how Strongsville and Mentor have survived all these years.

Lakewood's kids have the talent. It's the coaching that's the problem.

[Bridget Conant]

Ed's makes money off their sports programs, and they get lots of support from alumni, so they can pay a higher salary for a coach. Wouldn't that give them an advantage over a public school in attracting good coaches?

[Michael Deneen]

1) St. Edward might be siphoning off some of our best talent?

Actually, no.
As evidenced by the consolidation of the Catholic grade schools in 2005, not so many Lakewood kids (athletes or non-athletes) go to St. Edward anymore.

Coach Ribar is only in his second year, so have some patience.
It is going to take some time build the program back to where it was in the 80s and 90s.
This year's switch to the bigger, tougher, Southwest Conference has not helped their record, either.

[Amy Martin]

I'm just hoping that our perfect record isn't ruined next week.

[Michael Deneen]

North Ridgeville's Cameron Bright had a big night, scoring three touchdowns.



Lakewood's Michael Goolsby had numerous receptions, including at TD catch. He also played some quarterback and played defensive back throughout the game.



Here is Goolsby on his 21 yard TD catch.



The marching band put on its final road game performance of the year.



Cheerleaders strike a pose at halftime.



Senior Eddie Kwalam had a good night. Here is one of his catches.



Senior Adam Giffels made this interception in the fourth quarter.



Noah Lopez with his first of two TD catches on the night.