RANGE DRESSES TO IMPRESS FOR HOMECOMING

CANFIELD, OH-In another highly anticipated NE8 football matchup, the South Range Raiders clashed with the Girard Indians. The final score told the story of a dominant performance by the South Range Raiders, who emerged victorious with a commanding 49-21 win over Girard.

The game saw a flurry of scoring plays from both sides, especially late, making it an action-packed affair from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of the game’s key moments:

**First Quarter:**
– South Range set the tone early as they forced a  fumble on the first play of the game, then later in the drive Tristan Toy scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown at the 8:43 mark, followed by an extra point by Logan Butcher, giving them a 7-0 lead.
– The Raiders continued their offensive prowess with  Blake Ewert finding the end zone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown at 4:18, again with Butcher successfully adding the extra point, extending the lead to 14-0.
– Girard responded with a scoring play of their own as Tuff McConahy connected with Stephen Sims for a 20-yard touchdown reception at 1:53, with Zachery Morris making the extra point, making it 14-7.

**Second Quarter:**
– South Range’s Tristan Toy threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Nagy at 10:14. Logan Butcher once more converted the extra point, stretching the lead to 21-7.
– Tristan Toy wasn’t done, as he scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown at 2:38, and Butcher continued to add to the scoreboard with a successful extra point, making it 28-7.
– Girard managed to cut into the lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Stephen Sims at 0:07, and Andrew Whitfield made the extra point, reducing the deficit to 28-14 at halftime.

**Fourth Quarter:**
– The Indians showed their determination as Stephen Sims scored another touchdown, this time from 1 yard out at 11:43. Andrew Whitfield added the extra point, narrowing the gap to 28-21.
– However, South Range displayed their offensive prowess in the final quarter, with Tristan Toy scoring his third touchdown of the game, this time from 12 yards out at 8:50. Logan Butcher added the extra point, extending the lead to 35-21.
– The Raiders didn’t stop there, as Aidan Dominguez scored on a 9-yard rushing touchdown from the Wildcat formation at 7:53, followed by another successful extra point by Butcher, making it 42-21.
– To seal the deal, South Range’s Troy Combs found the end zone on a 5-yard rushing touchdown at 2:45, with Butcher once again adding the extra point, resulting in the final score of 49-21 in favor of the Raiders.

Overall, it was an impressive offensive showcase by the South Range Raiders, with Tristan Toy and Blake Ewert playing pivotal roles in their victory.  Ewert ran for 157 yards on 22 carries and had a score.  Toy racked up 60 yards on the ground with three trips to the endzone and also had an interception on defense.  Dominguez made the most his three carries with 14 yards and a score.  Brady Crumbacher, Tristan Toy, and Dylan Smesko led the way on defense with four tackles apiece.  Despite a resilient effort from Girard, South Range’s explosive plays proved to be too much to handle.

For the Indians, Stephen Sims led the way on the ground with most of his carries coming after an injury to Tuff McConahy in the first half.  Sims racked up 44 yards and two scores on the ground.  McConohy went 13/20 for 147 yards through the air while finding the painted turf once, and throwing two picks.

With this win, South Range improved their record to 6-1 and will go on the road to Niles, while Girard will look to regroup in their next matchup against Poland with a 4-3 record.