Game Story: Olmsted Falls 35, Lakewood 10
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 10:06 pm
The Lakewood Rangers used an opportunistic defense to keep things close for most of the game, but eventually fell to Olmsted Falls 35-10 on Friday night. Bulldog Junior running back Spencer Linville was the difference maker, scoring four touchdowns in the game.
The game was played on a rainy night in Olmsted Falls, and the conditions affected both teams. The Rangers forced a fumble on the Bulldogs first play from scrimmage, gaining possession at their own 42 yard line. Ranger senior defensive back Adam Giffels made the recovery, providing an immediate lift for the team. Lakewood quarterback hit senior Michael Goolsby with a 39 yard pass on the next drive, taking the ball down to the Olmsted Falls 17 yard line. However, two plays later a fumbled snap would turn the ball back over to the Bulldogs on the 15 yard line.
After an exchange of punts, Olmsted Falls got the ball back with less than three minutes left in the first quarter. On the fourth play of the drive, Olmsted Falls suffered another fumble, which was recovered by Chris Massey at the Bulldog 30 yard line. Witri completed a pair of passes to Goolsby to set up a "first and goal" at the Olmsted Falls six yard line. The drive stalled after a sack, but kicker James Marshall gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead with a 37 yard field goal with 9:39 left in the first half.
The Lakewood lead lasted exactly 15 seconds. In a sign of things to come, Olmsted Falls junior Spencer Linville returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. That made the score 7-3 Olmsted Falls, and provided a huge momentum switch. After a Ranger punt, Olmsted Falls scored one more touchdown before the half. It came on a 60 yard drive dominated by running plays from Linville.
Olmsted Falls led 14-3 at the half, and received the opening kick of the second half. They drove the ball down to the Lakewood 23 yard line, and appeared poised to score again. However, a pair of penalties stalled the drive and forced the Bulldogs into a punt situation. The Rangers blocked the punt, and senior Chris Massey ran it 42 yards for a Lakewood touchdown. With 8:59 left in the third quarter, the Rangers were back in the game, trailing 14-10.
Olmsted Falls responded with a workman-like touchdown drive, going 59 yards in nearly five minutes to take a 21-10 lead. Linville carried the ball on nine of the eleven plays of the drive, wearing down Ranger defenders with his strength and size. The Bulldogs carried the 21-10 lead into the fourth quarter, where they put the game away with two additional touchdowns. Linville continued to be the workhorse, finishing the day with 43 carries, four touchdowns, and 269 yards rushing.
The loss drops Lakewood to 0-3 on the season, 0-2 in the Southwest Conference. The Rangers return to action Friday night at home against Avon Lake, with a 7pm kickoff.
The game was played on a rainy night in Olmsted Falls, and the conditions affected both teams. The Rangers forced a fumble on the Bulldogs first play from scrimmage, gaining possession at their own 42 yard line. Ranger senior defensive back Adam Giffels made the recovery, providing an immediate lift for the team. Lakewood quarterback hit senior Michael Goolsby with a 39 yard pass on the next drive, taking the ball down to the Olmsted Falls 17 yard line. However, two plays later a fumbled snap would turn the ball back over to the Bulldogs on the 15 yard line.
After an exchange of punts, Olmsted Falls got the ball back with less than three minutes left in the first quarter. On the fourth play of the drive, Olmsted Falls suffered another fumble, which was recovered by Chris Massey at the Bulldog 30 yard line. Witri completed a pair of passes to Goolsby to set up a "first and goal" at the Olmsted Falls six yard line. The drive stalled after a sack, but kicker James Marshall gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead with a 37 yard field goal with 9:39 left in the first half.
The Lakewood lead lasted exactly 15 seconds. In a sign of things to come, Olmsted Falls junior Spencer Linville returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. That made the score 7-3 Olmsted Falls, and provided a huge momentum switch. After a Ranger punt, Olmsted Falls scored one more touchdown before the half. It came on a 60 yard drive dominated by running plays from Linville.
Olmsted Falls led 14-3 at the half, and received the opening kick of the second half. They drove the ball down to the Lakewood 23 yard line, and appeared poised to score again. However, a pair of penalties stalled the drive and forced the Bulldogs into a punt situation. The Rangers blocked the punt, and senior Chris Massey ran it 42 yards for a Lakewood touchdown. With 8:59 left in the third quarter, the Rangers were back in the game, trailing 14-10.
Olmsted Falls responded with a workman-like touchdown drive, going 59 yards in nearly five minutes to take a 21-10 lead. Linville carried the ball on nine of the eleven plays of the drive, wearing down Ranger defenders with his strength and size. The Bulldogs carried the 21-10 lead into the fourth quarter, where they put the game away with two additional touchdowns. Linville continued to be the workhorse, finishing the day with 43 carries, four touchdowns, and 269 yards rushing.
The loss drops Lakewood to 0-3 on the season, 0-2 in the Southwest Conference. The Rangers return to action Friday night at home against Avon Lake, with a 7pm kickoff.
