North Ridgeville vs. Firelands tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight from the sidelines of Firelands High School as the Falcons host the North Ridgeville Rangers. You can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online (replay will be available online as well). I'll be working with play-by-play announcer Bob Karlovec and color commentator Darryl Maynard.

For North Ridgeville (5-2) they are fighting for their play-off lives. The Rangers hold the #9 spot in Division 2, Region 6 which puts them on the outside looking in as top eight teams in each region qualify. Last week in a 34-9 win at Vermilion, North Ridgeville exploded for 27 unanswered points in the 4th quarter.

The Ranger offense is remarkably balanced as they average 184 yards per game rushing and 181 yards per game passing. Senior quarterback Mike Mees is a 2-year team captain and with over 1200 passing yards already has eclipsed last year’s total. The offensive backfield features running backs Brandon Mundell, David Boden and Josh Dietz. The Rangers have weapons in the passing game as well with Mark Szlakowski, Christian Watkins, and 6-6 TE Nate Alpine.

Firelands (1-6) are a team in disarray. After winning their first game in week 2, head coach Todd Pooch was arrested and placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned leaving the team in the hands of defensive coordinator Mike Passerello. Since then, the Falcons have lost five straight including a 59-14 pasting last week against Avon.

Since West Shore Conference play began in 2005, the two teams have met every year and North Ridgeville has won all 5 meetings including a 42-0 win last season. During that five game stretch, the Rangers have outscored the Falcons 252-20. Firelands has scored just 7 points in the last four meetings.

Both teams have several players participating in the Rush for a Cause nonprofit organization to raise funds for injured high school athletes through contributions or pledges.