SOUTH RANGE POURS IT ON POLAND

CANFIELD, OH- A week ago, many local critics were looking at South Range as a team on the brink of distress, and they had good reason following a game that challenged the Raiders physically and mentally against Struthers.  They heard it for seven days: six turnovers, the pressure is too much, etc.

However, on Friday the narrative was flipped on its side, and South Range looked like they not only regained focus, but a chip on their shoulder, and the leadership they had possessed from last year’s squad when they defeated Poland 48-0 on Friday night.

A win that many might look at as what Poland had been missing, may be remember at season’s end as South Range’s turning point.

Billy Skripac led South Range’s attack in the first drive offensively by scampering in for a 7-yard score to take a lead they would never give back.  Skripac kept things going just minutes later on a 33-yard connection to Ayden Leon that developed just as Coach Allegreto had drawn up on the grease board.

In the second frame, more of the same from South Range as Hunter Knauf punched in a score from 2-yards away to make the score 20-0.  The Skirpac to Leon would reconnect just minutes later on a 14-yard slant pass that put the Raiders up 27-0.  With 45 seconds left before the break, Jake Starkey would blast his way into the endzone from 6 yards out to put South Range up at the half by 34.

It was more of the same in the second half as Blake Ewert broke away in the third stanza from 32 yards out to put Range up 41-0.  Sophomore Tristan Toy would put the exclamation mark on the game with a 19-yard touchdown to Dean Depizzo to finalize the scoring at 48-0.

South Range’s defense was a big part of the story, as they held Poland to only 19 yards of total offense on the night.  Poland only crossed into Raider territory once the entire game.

The Raider offense was on fire with 406 yards of offense that included 261 rushing yards, and 145 yards through the air.  Turnovers were not a factor this week as Raider signal callers were 3-0 ratio from a TD to interception perspective.  South Range also racked up 21 first downs to Poland’s 3.

Skripac went 7/8 through the air for 116 yards and two scores.  Tristan Toy was a perfect 2/2 for 29 yards and a tuddy.  Blake Ewert had half a dozen carries for South Range.  The “E-Train” chugged his way to 75 yards and a trip to the endzone.  He was supplemented by fellow backfield mates, Tyler Remish who had 68 yards on five carries, and Hunter Knauf who had five carries as well for 25 yards and a score.

Ayden Leon had a pair of catches for 47 yards, both of which resulted in six points for the Raiders.  Shane Lindstrom hauled in 3 catches for 33 yards, Dean Dipizzo had 2 for 29, and both Jake Starkey and JD Crouse had another snag for 18, respectively.  Starkey and Crouse led the defense as well- Jake had six tackles and Crouse had four- which included a sack.

For Poland, Matt Boccieri led the way with 15 yards on seven attempts rushing.  JP Genova stepped up with a 5/8 completion night for 22 yards and a pick.  Paul Greco led the Dogs on defense with 5.5 tackles.  Boccieri had 4 tackles, one of which was a tackle for loss.

South Range (5-0) will now turn to one of the area’s most coveted matchups this week as they take on Girard (5-0) at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6.  Poland (2-3) will look to get back to even as they return home to take on Niles.

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