Rangers Shut Out Normandy 35-0

The Lakewood Ranger football team defeated Normandy 35-0 on Friday, September 12th lifting its record to 2-1 on the season. The Rangers played very well in every aspect of the game, getting big contributions from the offense, defense, and special teams. The 2-1 mark matches the program’s best start over the past decade, and provides momentum going into their most difficult game of the year at Avon.

The Rangers took command early against Normandy, jumping to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Lakewood received the opening kickoff, and promptly scored on a seven yard touchdown run by Quentin Hill. The play capped a seven play, 58 yard drive that took just over three minutes. The drive was highlighted by a 48 yard pass completion from QB Peyton Graham to wide receiver Joe Malone.

Normandy had a quick “three and out” on its first possession, punting back the Rangers. Ranger running back Quentin Palmer made a 39 yard run down to the Invader 20 yard line, which was followed by a 19-yard completion from Graham to Andrew Lesko. Graham ran the ball into the endzone on the next play, boosting the lead to 14-0 with 4:24 left in the first quarter.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Invaders put together their best drive of the night. Two big pass completions gave them a first-and-goal at the Ranger 10 yard line. However, the Ranger defense tightened, forcing three straight incomplete passes. Normandy declined a field goal chance, instead going for the touchdown on 4th and ten. This led to the key play of the game: a 98 yard interception and touchdown return by defensive back Michael Goolsby. The touchdown gave Lakewood its 21-0 lead with less than a minute to go in the first quarter. In addition, it shattered any offensive confidence for Normandy.

On the next Invader drive, Normandy threw another interception, this one to Ranger Tyreik Boyd at the Invader 29 yard line. Lakewood cashed it in for another touchdown, this time on a two yard run by Graham with nearly 11 minutes left in the half. Michael Johnston set up the touchdown with a 26 yard run on the first play of the drive.

Lakewood took a 28-0 lead into halftime, and continued to dominate the second half. Michael Johnston scored a 27 yard touchdown with 7:18 left in the third quarter. This not only gave the Rangers a 35-0 lead, but it kicked in a new OHSAA rule. Whenever a team has a 30-point lead, a “running clock” is instituted in order to speed the game. Neither team scored during the final quarter and a half of play, which provided Lakewood an opportunity to use some of its reserve players.

When the final seconds of the clock expired, the Rangers had their first home victory for new coach Mike Ribar. After the post-game handshake, the team ran over to the student section to celebrate their win. It was a new feeling for many of the younger students….the Rangers had not won a home game since October 2012 against Vermilion.

The Normandy win comes one week after a difficult loss to North Olmsted. The Rangers led that game after three quarters, but gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lose 35-25. Lakewood did a good job containing North Olmsted’s passing attack, limiting it to one touchdown and three interceptions (by comparison, North Olmsted has eight passing TDs in its other two games this season). However, defensive and special team touchdowns by the Eagles cost Lakewood the game.

The Rangers will play the next two games on the road. They will be at Avon on Friday, taking on the defending conference champion Eagles. It will be the most difficult challenge of the year for Lakewood. The Eagles have defeated their first three opponents of the year by a combined score of 140-20. The following week Lakewood will travel to Bay for a Friday night matchup against the Rockets. photos by Jim O'Bryan