RAMS ARE STILL RUNNING ALONG
ROOTSTOWN OH- In a thrilling playoff clash, Mineral Ridge continued their impressive postseason run with a hard-fought 17-9 win over Rootstown, marking their second road victory in the playoffs.
The Rams’ offense was led by quarterback Owen Shingledecker, who amassed 78 passing yards. He wasted no time putting Mineral Ridge on the scoreboard with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Pemberton in the first quarter, setting the tone for the game.
Brady Balestrino played a pivotal role in the Rams’ passing game, making five receptions for 26 yards, showcasing his reliability as a receiver.
On the ground, Jacob Russell led the way for Mineral Ridge, racking up 64 rushing yards, while Ian Erb added another 52 yards, keeping the offense moving and putting pressure on the Rootstown defense.
The Mineral Ridge defense was the true star of the night, flying all over the field and holding Rootstown to a mere 9 points. Their relentless efforts resulted in three turnovers that proved to be crucial. Kaiden McCune and Julian Rozzi each had an interception, further cementing the Rams’ dominance on the defensive end. Rozzi not only had an interception but also forced and recovered a fumble, which he returned for a game-changing touchdown.
With this impressive win, Mineral Ridge’s playoff journey continues, and their next challenge awaits. They will face off against Mogadore in the next round of the playoffs. The game is set for Friday at 7:00, at a neutral site yet to be announced at the time of this writing. Mineral Ridge’s fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this exciting playoff run, as the Rams aim to build on their successes and make their mark on the postseason.
