LHS Football Game Story: Good News & Bad News

[Michael Deneen]

There was good news and bad news for the Lakewood football team Friday night. On the upside, they looked much better than in their disastrous opening day loss to Medina. The bad news is that "improved" was not nearly enough against Berea-Midpark, the defending SWC conference champions. The Titans won 34-13 on a hot night in First Federal Lakewood Stadium.

The student section designated "80s Night" as the theme for the game, with kids dressed in all manner of big hair and neon clothes. For awhile, the 80s theme brought back the winning Ranger football tradition of that era. The team took 7-6 lead over the heavily favored Titans in the first quarter, and kept the game competitive into the second half.

The Rangers kicked off to start the game, and sacked Berea-Midpark quarterback Nick Gassman on the first play from scrimmage. They forced the high-powered Titan offense into a "three-and-out", then took possession on their own 18 yard line. Disaster struck when the Rangers fumbled the ball away on their first offensive play, giving the ball to Berea-Midpark at the Lakewood 17 yard line. It took the Titans only four plays to score on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 9:05 to go in the 1st. The missed extra point made the score 6-0.

Despite his two long kickoff returns last week, the Titans chose to kick to Ranger senior Mike Goolsby. He made them pay, running it back 94 yards into the north end zone, giving the Rangers a 7-6 lead. Ranger fans went wild as the team had a lead over the mighty Titans with 8:49 left in the first quarter.

Berea-Midpark marched the ball down the field on their next drive, using a nice mix of pass and run plays. On a "2nd and 5" play from the Ranger 35, they threw a deep pass to the right sideline. Lakewood defensive back Tremayne Swanson snatched an inteception at the two yard line, preserving the Lakewood lead. He made the play in front of the Ranger marching band and students, setting off a nice celebration.

The Ranger offense couldn't move the ball out of its own end, setting up the Titans with a short field after the punt. Berea-Midpark punched in its second touchdown with 3:44 left in the first quarter, taking a 13-7 lead.

Having learned its lesson after Goolsby's return, the Titan coaching staff decided to pooch kick the next kickoff to the Ranger up-men. After a Ranger punt, the Titans again marched deep into Lakewood territory, with a "third and goal" play at the Ranger 16 yard line. They attempted a pass play, which was intercepted by Mike Goolsby.

Pinned deep at their own two yard line, the Rangers put together a decent offensive drive to the Berea-Midpark 48 yard line. Lakewood punted the Titans back to their own 19 yard line with 4:34 left in the first half, and with the score 13-7.

Berea-Midpark put together another strong drive deep into Lakewood territory, and this time they would not commit a turnover. Titan tight end Jaret Peterson made a circus catch deep in the back of the north end zone with 1:15 left, giving the Titans a 20-7 lead at the half.

The Titans pooched the second half kickoff, again preventing Goolsby from making a return. They would continue the pooch kicks for the rest of the night. The Rangers' James Marshall punted after a short drive, pinning Berea-Midpark at their own five yard line. The Titans went on a methodical six minute drive, going 95 yards to stretch the lead to 27-7 with four minutes left in the third quarter. That score eliminated any faint hopes of a Ranger comeback, and the team eventually fell behind 34-7 with 12 seconds left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter settled into a punting contest, until the Rangers got the ball with 5:37 left to go. They put together a nice 86 yard touchdown drive, largely featuring the running of junior Maleek Mims. Mims scored a five yard touchdown run on the final play of the game, ending the scoring at 34-13 with no time left. There was no extra point attempt.

The Rangers next game is Friday, September 11 at Olmsted Falls.

[Michael Deneen]

Here are some photos from Alex's gallery, which you can find at http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... tball-game


The Marching Band had another amazing night. Here they are arriving before the game.




It was "80s Night" at FFL Stadium. Tubular.



The Rangers led early.


This game was the 8th annual Celebration of Foster and Adoptive Families



Senior Michael Goolsby during his 94 yard 1st quarter kickoff TD return.



He....could....go....all....the....way.
It was his second kick return for a TD this season.



The last man misses.



Unfortunately Ranger punter James Marshall had a busy night, so Berea-Midpark pulled away to win.



What would "80s Night" be without Super Mario?

[Michael Deneen]

Here is Zapruder-esque video of the Berea-Midpark "circus catch" which put the Titans up by 13 late in the first half.



Here is the 94 yard touchdown return by Goolsby.



Both videos are courtesy of Kris Kantor at Lakewood Football Reports.