Tag Archive for: Barberton

SOUTH RANGE FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 4) WITH DAVE RACH

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CANFIELD, OH- In a season already packed with highs and lows, the South Range Raiders, led by head coach Dave Rach, prepare to kick off their Northeast Eight Conference (NEA) play tonight against the formidable Lakeview Bulldogs. This game comes on the back of a notable victory over Barberton, a Division II powerhouse, which was a significant confidence booster for the Division V Raiders.

Coach Rach’s pride in his team’s ability to control both the offensive and defensive lines was evident in his interview with YSN’s DJ Yokley. “That’s the biggest part of what we do,” Rach said, acknowledging the hard work and improvements from his players over the past weeks.

Despite the confidence from their recent triumph, Rach emphasized the need to treat each upcoming game as a new chapter. “Every game is our Super Bowl… we have to make sure we prepare for it as if it’s a championship game,” he said, aware of the challenges ahead in the NEA, where they are the defending champions.

While the Raiders are wary of being distracted by the long-term schedule, Lakeview presents an immediate and real challenge. The Bulldogs come into tonight’s game undefeated and in peak form, having surrendered only six points all season. Rach respects their resilience and skill, noting their strong defensive stats and explosive potential on special teams.

The Raiders have shown their prowess in all facets of the game, from leading defensive shutouts to setting school records in special teams, as exemplified by Luke Starkey’s record-breaking 45-yard field goal last week. However, the team is aware that each game brings new hurdles.

Beyond the gridiron battles, the South Range community has recently faced deep emotional challenges with the loss of influential community figures. Coach Rach emphasized the importance of family, unity, and support in tough times, urging his players to “help kids win in the game of life just as much as in the game of football.”

A heartening moment was highlighted as the team rallied around Robby Myers, whose mother recently passed away. Myers’ interception return in a youth football game became a symbol of perseverance and the tight-knit Raider community.

As South Range gears up for what promises to be a tough four-quarter fight against Lakeview, Coach Rach and his Raiders are more united and determined than ever.

Tonight’s showdown will be a litmus test for the Raiders’ readiness to defend their NEA crown—and a testament to their unyielding spirit both on and off the field.

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RANGE ROLLS PAST MAGIC IN THIS GATHERING

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CANFIELD, OH-Friday night at Rominger Stadium turned into a showcase of domination as the South Range Raiders steamrolled the Barberton Magic, 38-0, on what was not just another game night—it was the South Range Hall of Fame Night, complete with a relentless downpour that only added to the dramatic flair.

Aidan Dominguez was a man on a mission right from the get-go. He opened the scoring bonanza with a hard-fought two-yard touchdown, diving across the line with 8:29 left in the first quarter. But he was just warming up. Dominguez then snagged a 30-yard TD pass from Tristan Toy, lighting up the scoreboard again midway through the quarter. Not done yet, he powered through for another one-yard touchdown plunge as the first quarter was winding down, putting the Raiders up 21-0 in a blink.

As the rain kept pouring, Dylan Smesko found the end zone on a five-yard rush, pushing the score to a commanding 28-0 before halftime. Amidst the splashing and sliding, Luke Starkey then etched his name into the school records, booting a monster 45-yard field goal that sailed through the rain, breaking his own record set back in 2022.

Tristan Toy, not to be outdone by his teammates, put the final nail in the coffin with a one-yard QB keeper that ballooned the score to 38-0. The Raiders’ offense was clicking on all cylinders, and their defense was a wall that Barberton just couldn’t penetrate.

Now sitting pretty at 3-0, the Raiders are looking like a serious threat as they head into NE8 Conference play next week, hosting Lakeview.

LADY RAIDERS SWEEP SATURDAY TWIN BILL

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Game 1: 

Bree Kohler shut down Barberton, throwing a complete game shutout and leading South Range to a 4-0 victory on Saturday

A single by Mayle in the fourth inning was a positive for Barberton.

Bree Kohler got the win for the Raiders. She went seven innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out seven and walking one.

Marr was in the pitcher’s circle for Barberton. She allowed seven hits and four runs over six innings, striking out one.

The Raiders tallied seven hits in the game.  Hanna Dennison and Julie Centofanti each collected multiple hits for South Range Raiders.  Julie Centofanti and Hanna Dennison each managed two hits to lead South Range. The Raiders didn’t commit a single error in the field. Jillian Strecansky had  seven chances in the field, the most on the team.

Barberton was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Kaisk made the most plays with  nine.

Game 2:

South Range coasted to an easy victory over Stow-Munroe Falls 10-2 on Saturday

South Range Raiders fired up the offense in the first inning.  Jillian Strecansky lined out, scoring one run.

The Raiders put up four runs in the sixth inning.  The offensive onslaught came from singles by Jillian Strecansky and Julie Centofanti.

Bell started the game for Stow-Munroe Falls. She surrendered four runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out two and walking zero.  #16 threw two innings in relief.

The Raiders scattered 14 hits in the game.  Julie Centofanti, Marlaina Slabach, Maddie Helon, Hanna Dennison, and Bree Kohler each collected multiple hits for South Range Raiders.  Julie Centofanti went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead South Range in hits.

Edmonson led Stow-Munroe Falls with two hits in four at bats.

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BULLDOGS BITE DOWN ON BUCHTEL

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The Poland Lady Bulldogs advanced to the regional final Tuesday night with a 59-38 win over Akron Buchtel.

The game started off back and forth. Sarah Bury got the Bulldogs on the board early with a three pointer, and Buchtel was getting good looks inside mostly in transition.  It appeared that the beginning of the game was anxious for the Bulldogs. They quickly shook off any nerves though when Buchtel took a 11-7 lead. The Bulldogs ended the first frame on a 7-0 run and led 14-11 after 1.

The Poland defense clamped down hard in the 2nd frame. Buchtel had a hard time just getting into half court sets.  Poland turned 3 quick turnovers into 3 quick buckets and just like that they had a commanding 24-12 lead. Buchtel didn’t hit a single shot from the field in the whole quarter and Poland led at the break 27-12.

In the 3rd with their offense now in front of their own fans Buchtel seemed a bit more loose. They cut Poland’s lead to 10 early in quarter 3 showing a glimmer of hope that they could claw their way back into the game. The Bulldogs snuffed that thought out quick however, as Kailyn Brown and Morgan Kluchar got some big time buckets to get the lead back to 15 38-23.  The score after 3 was 38-25.

Poland did not let off the gas pedal at all in the 4th. They knew all too well that Buchtel was a team known for 4th quarter comebacks. That would not be the case in this contest as Brooke Bobbey started to get involved scoring 5 of her 7 points in the final frame. Sarah Bury also added a couple of perimeter jump shots to cement the Bulldog lead.  Poland would go on to win by a final of 59-38.

Every Bulldog starter scored at least 5 points tonight to lead a balanced offense. Kailyn Brown led the team in scoring with 15 points 7 rebounds. Sarah Bury was also in double figures with 14. Poland advances to the programs third ever regional championship on Friday night against Akron St Vincent St Mary. Tip off is slated for 7:00 at Barberton High School.