SOUTH RANGE SURVIVES BULLDOG ATTACK
By Chris Colucci
CORTLAND, OH- It was a thrilling Friday night under the bright stadium lights as the South Range Raiders faced off against the Lakeview Bulldogs in a high-stakes football showdown. The atmosphere was electric, and fans from both sides filled the stands, ready to witness an epic battle on the gridiron.
The first quarter started with a bang for the Raiders, as their star player, Blake Ewert, made an immediate impact. Ewert displayed his prowess by scoring two quick touchdowns. The first came from a hard-fought 5-yard run, showcasing his determination to put points on the board. The second was a jaw-dropping 79-yard dash to the end zone, leaving defenders in his wake. South Range took an early 14-0 lead, and their fans erupted with cheers.
But the Bulldogs were not to be outdone. In the second quarter, their quarterback, Boom Gillis, connected with Andrew Brown on a 24-yard pass for a touchdown, putting Lakeview on the scoreboard. The score was now 14-7, and the game was well and truly alive.
As the third quarter began, the Raiders maintained their lead with a balanced attack. Tristan Toy executed a 1-yard quarterback sneak, and Boom Gillis orchestrated a beautifully timed 10-yard pass to Hayden Newton for another touchdown. Gaven Nagy, a standout on defense, made a game-changing play with an 85-yard pick-six, adding to South Range’s lead. The score now stood at 28-14 in favor of the Raiders.
The Bulldogs, refusing to back down, fought valiantly in the fourth quarter. Boom Gillis took matters into his own hands, scoring on a 3-yard run to cut the deficit to 28-21. The game was far from over, and both teams knew it.
In the end, South Range’s defense held strong, preventing the Bulldogs from staging a late-game comeback. The final whistle blew, and the South Range Raiders emerged victorious with a score of 28-21.
Blake Ewert was the standout player of the game, rushing for an impressive 195 yards and scoring two crucial touchdowns. Boom Gillis, on the other side, led the Bulldogs with 148 passing yards and two touchdowns of his own. It was a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, but on this night, the South Range Raiders came out on top, proving their mettle on the field.
The game was a testament to the passion and dedication of high school football, leaving fans from both sides with memories that would last a lifetime.
