High school football preview: North Ridgeville Rangers
Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
The North Ridgeville Rangers expect to have an explosive offense, a shutdown defense and dominating special teams this season, and they’re relying on a strong senior class to make it all happen.
“Last year we had only nine seniors, and this year we have around 24,” Rangers center Alex Lovasz said. “Our chemistry is great – we’ve been together so long. We’re hoping this year we can bring it all together.”
Not that North Ridgeville has been slacking in the past. Two years ago the Rangers had the No. 1 defense in Lorain County. Last season, they went 6-4 and finished third in the West Shore Conference with a 5-2 record.
They did it with a balanced attack – finishing second in the league in scoring and third in points allowed. They’re hoping to continue shining on both sides of the ball.
“We emphasize, like most quality programs do, there are three phases to the game – offense, defense and the kicking game,” Rangers coach Jeff Riesen said. “We spend a lot of time on all three of them and we don’t really hone in on one. We look at all three because a letdown in any one of them can cost you the game.”
Even as Riesen preaches equality in all phases of the game, he and his players ramble on about the suffocating defense they used two seasons ago and how that will be an integral part of a successful 2009. The Rangers used a free-floating defender – fittingly called a ranger – to help hunt down the action no matter where it occurred.
This year, they plan on using two.
“We’re going to have one on each side,” Riesen said. “Either one could be going at one time, or both could be going at one time.”
The two rangers will be senior linebackers Mo Jaber and Taylor Abraham. Both, Riesen said, have been learning the position since they were freshmen.
“We like to focus on defense and getting nasty,” Jaber said. “The ranger sort of goes everywhere on the field, sort of like (Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety) Troy Polamalu. We’re hoping to blitz a lot more than last year and we’re hoping to get more pressure on the quarterback.”
Lovasz, who also plays on the defensive line, said the defense seemed to get stagnant last season.
“We need to be really explosive to the ball, have everyone pursuing and getting there and making the play,” he said. “We have to have a lot of big hits, and we need to go right at them. Instead of making adjustments to their offense, we want offenses having to make adjustments to our defense.
“We really want to cause problems.”
The Rangers players – and the seniors especially – get so worked up talking about the upcoming season, they nearly lose control of their brimming bravado.
“What we want to accomplish is winning the conference, going undefeated and becoming the first-ever North Ridgeville team to go to the playoffs,” Jaber said. “I would like to say that (our opponents) should look out. I’m not going to make any guarantees, but it’s going to be a good season … that’s what I’m hoping.
“We’re going to be a scary team I think.”
Jaber feels the entire roster is filled with talent, but it might be the chemisty between the seniors who have spent the last six years on the football field together that could push the group over the top.
It’s that senior group that Riesen points to as being the leaders on and off the field.
“They are an extension of the coaching staff,” Riesen said. “This is my fourth year back at North Ridgeville, and these kids were freshmen my first year. They’ve learned the program, they understand the commitment that’s necessary and they are willing to make the sacrifices.”
Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE RANGERS
• COACH: Jeff Riesen, 4th year
• CONFERENCE: West Shore
• 2008 RECORD: 6-4, 5-2
• FAST FACT: The Rangers have around 24 seniors this season, compared to just nine last year.
SCHEDULE
• Aug. 28 Westlake
• Sept. 4 at Lakewood
• Sept. 11 Cloverleaf
• Sept. 18 at Fairview
• Sept. 25 at Avon
• Oct. 2 at Bay
• Oct. 9 Vermilion
• Oct. 16 Firelands
• Oct. 23 at Rocky River
• Oct. 30 Midview
Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
Need help? Email Us.