"The Madhouse on Madison" Is The Place To Be This Fall

Lakewood has always been known as a community of great sports fans. Lakewood residents have enthusiastically supported the local professional teams since the days of Otto Graham, Tris Speaker and Austin Carr. However, it has become increasingly difficult in recent years to cheer for big name athletes. Many have grown weary of the ongoing antics in professional sports -- large contracts, massive egos, off-the-field crimes and misdemenors. Team owners often aggravate the situation with high ticket and concession prices.

Autumn is about to arrive, which means that local sports fans can find a great entertainment value at one of Lakewood’s great destinations -- Lakewood Stadium. The stadium, widely considered the finest high school football facility in the county, is affectionately known around Northeast Ohio as "the Madhouse on Madison". For many decades the field has been home to Lakewood High School football, and has seen countless great memories. Instead of cheering for millionaire players and billionaire owners, fans can gather alongside their friends and neighbors to support local kids who are playing for love of the game.

The Lakewood High School football team will return to action at the stadium on Friday, August 27 at 7pm for its opener against Lincoln-West. This will be the first of six home games for the Rangers this season. Coach Ron Lewis and his team have been training hard this summer to prepare for the new season. As always, the Rangers face a rough schedule, including the likes of Twinsburg and Hudson.

The state of Ohio has among the best caliber of football in the nation (yes, even compared to the "Friday Night Lights" of Texas). College football programs at every level feature players from Ohio, and many Ohioans go on the National Football League. However, high school games offer not only great football action, but lots of extra entertainment. The Ranger Marching Band puts on a great halftime show at each and every Lakewood home game. Plus, the cheerleaders and mascot channel the crowd’s enthusiasm.

All home games this year will begin at 7 p.m. rather than the usual 7:30 p.m. of past seasons. Each game will feature a special theme or activity that aims to recognize various groups in the community. The home opener will recognize all the new freshmen, who will be admitted free as part of their Fresh Start orientation program.

Ranger football games offer the best sports value in town. Ticket prices remain the same as last season and student and senior passes are available again as well. Tickets may be purchased at the LHS Athletic Office or at the ticket booth on game night. Ticket prices and availability are as follows:

Single Tickets:  

• All tickets are $6 at the gate
• Pre sale student tickets can be purchased for $4 at the LHS Athletic office, Wednesday – Friday til 3:30 p.m.

Passes:  

• Adult 10-game pass can be purchased in the LHS Athletic office for $50 ($10 savings)
• Student 10-game pass can be purchased in the LHS Athletic office for $30 ($10 savings)
• Passes are good for 10 admissions to any LHS home varsity contest for the 2010 – 2011 school year.
• Lakewood residents 60 and older are entitled to a NOC Senior Citizen Pass.  This pass is good for free admission to any home LHS athletic contest and any away LHS athletic contest vs. an NOC school.  These passes will be made available at the ticket booth at any LHS Athletic event. THESE PASSES WILL NOT BE HONORED AT OHSAA TOURNAMENT GAMES.

LHS Varsity Football Schedule: (Home game special activities in parenthesis) 

Aug. 27          Cleveland Lincoln-West     7:00 p.m.

(“Fresh Start”; all LHS freshmen will be admitted free)

Sept. 3            @ North Ridgeville              7:30 p.m.

Sept. 10         North Olmsted                      7:00 p.m.

        (Hayes Elementary Night)

Sept. 17         Valley Forge                        7:00 p.m.

        (Youth Football Night; Family Night Celebration; Cox Cable Game of the Week)

Sept. 24         @ Strongsville                      7:00 p.m.

Oct. 1              Twinsburg                           7:00 p.m.

        (American Heart Association Night)

Oct. 8              @ Stow-Munroe Falls         7:00 p.m.

Oct. 15            Cuyahoga Falls                  7:00 p.m.

        (Homecoming; Dedication: Walk of Distinction; Cox Cable Game of the Week)

Oct. 22            @ Elyria                                 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 29            Hudson                                7:00 p.m.

ST. EDWARD TO HOST THREE GAMES

The Rangers aren’t the only team to play at Lakewood Stadium. St. Edward High School has been using the facility for its home games since 1984, the year artificial turf first replaced grass at the stadium. The Eagles will host Penn Hills High (Pennsylvania) on Friday, September 3 and Cleveland Benedictine on Saturday, October 2nd. Perennial state power Cincinnati St. Xavier will visit for a 2pm matinee on Saturday, October 16th.

The Eagles are expected to be among the best teams in the area, although a brutal schedule will likely suppress their season win total. Leading players on the Eagles include Offensive linemand Geoff Mogus and linebacker Delonte Gibson, who have already orally committed to play college football at Northwestern and Pitt, respectively.

STRIKE UP THE BAND(S)!

Lakewood Stadium will again host the annual Lakewood Marching Band Festival, which will take place on Saturday, September 18th. A record number of marching bands are expected, Rocky River, Bay, Vermilion. Olmsted Falls, Saint Ignatius, Padua, Brecksville-Broadview Hts, Painesville Riverside, Lutheran West, and of course the Marching Lakewood Rangers.

Start time is 7 pm with a parade and pass and review introduction of each band as they enter the stadium. Field Shows begin at 7:30 pm. Look for more details in the next edition of the Lakewood Observer.