Lakewood Football Updates: Offseason, Kosar Visit, "Battle of Lakewood" Revival

Rangers in 7-on-7 drills at John Carroll University. 

Photo by Kris Kantor

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School is out, but summertime has been a busy time around First Federal of Lakewood Stadium. We have news about the Lakewood Rangers’ community work, their offseason training, a visit from a Browns legend and an update on the return of the “Battle of Lakewood.”

RANGERS OFFSEASON UPDATE

The Lakewood High School football team has been busy this summer both on and off the field. The Rangers have been participating in numerous community activities. For example, they returned this year to march in the Fourth of July parade. “We’re trying to get the community back involved with the program,” says Head Coach Mike Ribar. Earlier this summer the program participated in a Lakewood Park outing with Senior Citizens. The event, done with the Lakewood Office on Aging, brought together two types of “seniors”...the 12th grade players and local senior citizens.  Community service is part of Ribar’s philosophy to do things “The Ranger Way,” which requires commitment on the field, in training, in the classroom, and in the community.

On the field, the Rangers have already participated in some 7-on-7 drills with other schools. On July 11 the team traveled to Fairview Park to face Fairview High. The team got a lot of good reps, including a lot of quality work in the passing game. On July 14 the team traveled to John Carroll University’s Don Shula Stadium. There they participated in 7-on-7s with three different schools – Madison, Lake Catholic, and Nordonia. Overall, Coach Ribar liked what he saw. “We played very well, we’re in much better shape than we were [at this point] last year.”

Looking ahead, the team will have a 7-on-7 intrasquad scrimmage at First Federal Stadium on Thursday, July 23rd. The event, which is open and free to the public, will begin at 7pm. “Two-a-Day” practices will begin on August 1st.  The team’s opening game will be on Friday, August 28 at Medina High School. The home opener will be on September 4 against Berea-Midpark High School.

FFL STADIUM GETS A SPECIAL VISIT

Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar conducted a camp for youth players on July 13 at FFL Stadium. Kosar spent over three hours teaching both football and life skills to kids from grades 2-8. He also showed off his Super Bowl ring (which he won with the Dallas Cowboys) to Lakewood High School players and coaches. Kosar shared great stories, including how he and Browns once practiced at Lakewood Stadium during one of their 1980s playoff runs. (Note to younger readers: Yes, the Browns used to make the playoffs. Ask your parents.)

“BATTLE OF LAKEWOOD” REVIVAL IN THE WORKS

The annual “Lakewood vs. St. Edward” game was a fixture on both teams’ schedules for decades. However, the two teams have not played in many years. Coach Ribar is working to bring back the series. “I’m a proponent of having that happen,” he said when asked about the potential matchup. However, some logistical matters will prevent it from happening very soon. LHS begins play this fall in the Southwest Conference, which has a nine-game conference schedule. That means there is only one open date each year for a nonconference game. The school currently has a three year contract (signed before Ribar took over) with Medina High School to play that nonconference game. That means it will take at least three years to get the “Battle of Lakewood” back.

RANGER FOOTBALL ODDS AND ENDS

*The Lakewood High School coaches will have a youth football camp from July 27-30 for kids in grades 3 to 8. For more information, contact the Lakewood High School Athletic Department.

*The football program is again raising funds by selling $10 “Ranger Discount Cards” that are good at many local businesses. You can purchase one from any Ranger football player.

*The extremely popular “Ranger Football Reports” website, founded and run by LHS alum Kris Kantor, has shifted to a Facebook platform this year. If you want to see outstanding photos, videos, and news about the program, be sure to like the its Facebook page at “Lakewood Football Reports.”

*The 2nd Annual Ranger Football Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, October 4th. Details will be announced later.