RIDGE HONORS VETERANS WITH WIN

*Contributed By YSN’s Noah Ricks

MINERAL RIDGE, OH – Both Sebring and Mineral Ridge faced weeks where COVID cancelled their games, but Mineral Ridge came off the bye firing on all cylinders as they routed Sebring in a 40-6 victory on Veterans’ Night from E.Z. Whittaker Field.

The Rams got things going in the first quarter as Mark Bunch would pick up a pair of scores on two quarterback keepers from inside the 10 to give Mineral Ridge momentum and a 12-0 first quarter edge. A long 67-yard rushing touchdown from Bunch on 2nd & 43 late in the first half would make it three touchdowns on the night for the senior.

It was Nathan Rohrman, however, who would break out for the Rams as the 6’3’’ 230 pound running back/linebacker led the charge sandwiching Trojan players in the backfield and got two rushing touchdowns, one from 25 and 21. His power and prowess running the football kept the Sebring defense on their toes as he dodged tackles. His powerful play on both sides of the ball was able to get him our YSN Player of the Game.

Although senior Elijah Fredericks did not play on offense in the first half, there were times when the Trojans had some good bursts on the ground as Elijah’s twin brother Noah was able to help Sebring move the chains with his work ethic and athletic speed. Quarterback Cade Leasure also showed promise for Sebring as he threw some clean passes to his wide receivers, including a long 28-yard touchdown bomb to Melvin Cruz in the endzone to give the Trojans their only score of the night.

With the win, Mineral Ridge improves to 3-4 as they move up to 15th place in the 16-seed playoff standings of the Division 6, Region 21 state playoffs. They will be playing a game with major playoff implications next week as they will travel to Lowellville to take on a 6-2 Rockets team fighting for a top seed in Division 7, Region 25 and coming off a convincing 40-20 rout of McDonald. The Rams will be prepared to stop the likes of quarterback Vinny Ballone and wide receiver Brady Bunofsky. The Trojans will stay on the road next week as they travel to a tough Western Reserve team, despite the Devils coming up short in a 42-0 loss to perennial state powerhouse and MVAC Scarlet Tier leader in Springfield. Sebring will have three more games as they will play a make-up game with Leetonia on October 29th to make up for their COVID-cancellation.

YSN’s Noah Ricks talked with winning coach Brian Shaner following tonight’s contest. Watch below for the post-game interview.

Postgame Interview with Brian Shaner: