LHS Football Story: North Olmsted 28, Lakewood 12

[Michael Deneen]

September 25th marked the beginning of Homecoming Weekend at Lakewood High School, including the annual Homecoming football game. The Rangers fell 28-12 to the North Olmsted Eagles in front of an enthusiastic crowd at First Federal Lakewood Stadium. The loss drops Lakewood to 0-5 on the season, 0-4 in Southwest Conference play. The game was preceded by the introduction of the Homecoming Court and announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen. Evan Levis was selected King, and Shannon Wood was named Homecoming Queen.

The game started with Lakewood kicking off to North Olmsted. The Eagles marched the ball down the field on seven straight running plays, setting up a first and goal from the 10. Ranger fans feared the worst, as North Olmsted seemed to move the ball at will. However, the Lakewood defense stiffened, stopping North Olmsted at the three yard line on a key third down play. After a procedure penalty, the Eagles missed a field goal attempt, leaving the game scoreless with 5:46 left in the first quarter. Lakewood dodged a bullet.

After a quick Ranger "three and out", North Olmsted again marched down the field. They mixed running and passing plays on a nice 52 yard touchdown drive, taking a 7-0 lead with 1:33 left in the first quarter. Lakewood responded with another "three and out", this time an ugly trio of incomplete passes that took a grand total of only seven seconds off the clock. The Rangers punted again, and it looked like the game was getting away from Lakewood.

However, lightning struck on the first play of the Eagles drive. North Olmsted fumbled the ball, and the Rangers recovered at the Eagles' 34 yard line with 1:03 left in the first quarter. Lakewood's offense, which had been anemic to that point in the game, suddenly showed life. Running plays by Maleek Mims, Quentin Palmer, and Jack Witri earned a first down at the Eagles 24 yard line. After an incomplete pass, quarterback Jack Witri hit senior wide receiver Michael Goolsby with a 24 yard touchdown pass, moving the score to 7-6. The Rangers suffered a penalty on the extra point attempt, and the kick was missed.

The Rangers score seemed to fire up the defense. After surrendering long drives in the first quarter, the Eagles were held to a "three and out" on their first possession of the second period. The Rangers were then held to a short drive, and punted back to North Olmsted. The Eagles put together a 64 yard touchdown drive that ate five minutes off the clock, giving them a 14-6 lead with two minutes left in the first half. The Rangers drove the next drive into Eagle territory, but North Olmsted intercepted a long pass at their own seven yard line to end any scoring threat.

Like other teams this season, North Olmsted "pooch kicked" during the first half in order to prevent Ranger kick returner Michael Goolsby from scoring a touchdown. That strategy backfired on the second half kickoff, as the squib kick was grabbed by Lakewood and returned to the Eagle 45 yard line. The Ranger offense took advantage of the short field, mixing runs and passes get into the Eagles "red zone". Witri completed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Senior Noah Lopez to cut the lead to 14-12 with 9:27 left in the third quarter. The Rangers decided to try a two point conversion rather than extra point, but the attempt failed. North Olmsted held a 14-12 lead.

The Eagles responded with a touchdown drive of their own, going 76 yards in about three and half minutes to take a 21-12 lead. The Rangers answered with a nice offensive drive, moving the ball 51 yards to inside the North Olmsted 30 yard line. Michael Goolsby was a key factor in the drive, including a key fourth down catch at the Eagle 43 yard line. However, the drive fizzled at the North Olmsted 29, as the Rangers failed to convert a fourth and five play.

North Olmsted stretched their lead to 28-12 early in the fourth quarter, scoring on a quick 73 yard touchdown pass. The Rangers mustered another long drive in the fourth quarter, including a stint where Goolsby played quarterback. He played in place of Witri, who was shaken up and stayed on the sideline for a few plays. Goolsby completed a 15 yard pass and had a couple nice runs in Witri's absense. Witri returned to complete a 12 yard pass to Goolsby, setting up Lakewood with a first down at the Eagle 12 yard line. However, the drive ended on downs, and the Rangers still trailed 28-12 with only 7:16 to go. The teams exchanged more possessions, but North Olmsted eventually ran out the clock to seal the win.

Lakewood will go on the road next week to play Avon High School. The game will be Friday night at 7pm.

[Michael Deneen]

Cheer up, Sleepy Jean!
Alex has some great photos of the homecoming festivities and game.
Also, I'll have a Homecoming writeup and LHS football "midseason report" in the next print issue.

Here is a link: http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/photobl ... d-football


A huge crowd in attendance, especially the student section. They were enthusiastic all night.



Evan Levis was selected King, and Shannon Wood was named Homecoming Queen.



North Olmsted's Ryan Coleman stretching for one of his three touchdowns in the game.



Michael Goolsby had another big night. He ran, threw, received, returned a kick and played defense.
Here he is faking out the North Olmsted defender after a catch.



Ranger quarterback Jack Witri had two TD passes in the game.



Rangers drop to 0-5 on the year, but this future cheerleader is udeterred.